Parental Failure

There are days when I fail at parenting....like epic fail.  The valuable lessons of treating each other with respect, using kind words, not being impatient, all get thrown out the window when I'm yelling at them to stop talking because I'm doing homework.  I feel bad when Peyton asks me to please play a game and I'm too busy reading my history assignment or posting the latest quote I found on Facebook.  And then I wonder why there's hostility in my home towards each other at times.  Are we really that dysfunctional?

And then, things happen, like this weekend, that shows me that even though my parenting isn't perfect, some valuable lessons are sinking in.

This last Saturday, I reached the edge of my insanity when the girls continued to argue, despite being told a MILLION times to stop.  I sat them down in my bedroom and started to ask them why.  Why can't we just get along.  After some lame excuses, I just told them both to be quiet and listen.  This is what I said...

"There is only one Peyton to you, McKenna.  And Peyton, there is only one McKenna for you.  One day, you will both be grown and move away, but you'll still be sisters.  What's the rule in our house?  We build each other up.  We don't tear each other down.  Someday, we won't be here to say 'I love you' or 'you're important' or remind each other how special we are.  And I don't want your growing up days to be filled with angry words or unkind thoughts to each other."

At that point, Peyton started crying.  I asked her what was wrong.  "I've been so mean to Sissy and forgot how special she is." 

Three days later, McKenna and I were discussing what to treat them to for their Valentine's Day dinner.  McKenna says to me, "Let's check with Peyton to see if she likes that.  It's HER Valentine's Day, too."

It was in those moments I realized something....there WILL be days when I fail at parenting.  I will miss the boat and hurt my girls.  Unintentionally, of course, but it will happen.  But you know what?  There will also be days when I win....like slam dunk, Super Bowl, inherit a million dollars win!  And when those moments happen, my plan is to hang on to those and ask God to remind me of them when I feel a failure moment coming on.

You know what else?  Next time, I'm playing that game with them when they ask.  Skip-bo anyone?!