Well here's my . I think you and Misty hit all the important points in this problem. You showed her out right that she had the time to clean her room herself and didn't so you took care of the problem. You showed her filth won't be tolerated! You explained that her room is a privilege and that it can and will be taken away was a great point. It must have really hit home when Jonathon got excited about the possiblity of having her room. It's tough but you doing great. Hang in there, these are the difficult years. I'm pretty sure you all will come through it OK. The only advice I can add to what has been offered up already is to be careful what you dole out for punishment. Make the discipline fit the crime and stick with it. Your doing a great job with those kids.
Interesting story, Mike. Maybe after the fires cool down a bit, you and Misty should take her out, two-on one, just for some together time - see if you can get her to open up a little bit. Keep the course on the consequences for her actions though - stay tough. As others have said, I think it might benefit Lily (and maybe the others as well) to see a psychologist. Could be a lot of issues behind her behavior - abandonment, anger, who knows.... Our daughters both saw a child and family therapist in their teens. They say they benefited from the sessions.
Sorry for venting. I kind of got carried away there. It's just frustrating... I do appreciate all the replies from you folks. Bright new day! Again sorry for dumping all that on here. -Michael
---------Just the ramblings of an old man and things I already told. I'm sure when Stefan started this station wagon forum he never imagined it would become a family affair! Station wagons have always been family oriented and a big part of growing families. Yes, I know that all members here don't have families and all members are not married. In fact amazingly many members are young men and women who may have not even grown up around station wagons. I for one did not grow up in a station wagon family. Altho many neighbors had them so I was used to seeing and occasionally riding in one back in the 50's and 60's. A station wagon would have been an ideal family vehicle for us. I only had one younger brother but dad was a handyman. A carpenter and house painter by trade. Dad never worked on cars or drove. He barely checked the oil now and then so we always called our cars "Moms car." Still as a carpenter a station wagon would have been a wise choice. Especially the time we went from central Illinois to Portland and return in a 1934 Chevy sedan while dad was trying to find work in the ship yards. As I've written before, I did buy a few station wagons for our own growing family. Like a fool I eventually traded for trucks simply because they seemed better for pulling RV's. I got to ride in the way back seat with neighbors but have very a few memories of riding in a wagon like so many of you do. Still those memories were happy ones of happy families gong to church or on a picnic. What I'm attempting to say is this forum is very much family oriented and we members are your family Mike. You and Misty are doing a great job with the kids. It's not easy raising our own. Taking in other childeren already set in their ways is an unbelievable task that those without children can never imagine. So, unless Stefan changes our minds, we as members share our family experiences, both good and bad, along with station wagon information and some sillyness. If nothing else it shows many others have faced similar situations and somehow survived. Long live stationwagonforums, station wagons, and families.
Amazing how most of us feel about each other even though we've never met. Thanks guys. I sorta got carried away typing. Was having a discussion with our son at the time. He hadn't worked since Sunday when he hurt his back doing another tranny side job and ended up in emergency room. Dollie told him to pack a bag and get out. I told him to go to work. After every excuse in the book he went to work! Yes he's on pain pills but he's able to do wiring on motorcycles or something. :banghead3: I missed my calling. Shoulda been a shrink.
Love it, go to work or get out. The way it should be! Nice. Thanks again for all the comments, and I very much agree that despite the fact that few of us have met, station wagon folks are GOOD folks. -Mike
Update. Son called after work and thanked me. He realized he needs money to survive. He was on his way to visit girfriend. I told him to ask her what she thinks about him not working and becoming a bum, reminding him it takes gas to go 20 miles to see her. How long does this parenting job last? :confused:
Thanks Stefan. For the most part we all are a friendly family, including the ocassional ribbing and teasing. Some members get off topic slightly now and then but it seems to help keep our spirits up and we actually learn a little about life. I've always believed station wagon owners are the backbone of our countries, hard working, honest citizens.
Fat Tedy's reply to this------------ > How long does this parenting job last? :confused: All depends on when you kick the kid out! As you know from your own experiences Tedy, it goes way beyond that. Like loving your spouse, it goes with you to the grave. We have three grown kids with kids. Mommy and daddy still have to give them advice and hold their hand now and then.
