No more excuses

Today, my husband and I were faced with yet another opportunity to pour over the question of whether or not to let our 15 year old do something that he had clearly not earned the right to do.  This question is the sort that comes up for us every single week, usually several times a week.

We are tired of that question.  Really, really tired.

We have an agreement with our kids that when we get reports from their school of assignments that they literally do not turn in and get zeros for, their privileges are GONE!  For the past 12 weeks, we have gotten at least 4 per child and sometimes as many as 11 in one week.

Normally, by this time, we've given up.  We've said "They will never respond to anything and so we may as well let them enjoy life a bit."  We let them out of the agreement.  Recently, I realized that we have done that too many times. They know that if they hold out long enough, we'll give in.  We need to stick to our guns. 

Our kids have actually admitted to us that it is more worthwhile to them to rebel than to earn the privilege to do the things they want to do.  I think that's because they don't truly enjoy anything.  Just a guess.  So, we've decided we need to be in this for the long haul.

Still, today, we found ourself trying to justify a reason for my son to go on an overnight youth event.  I thank God that I finally saw the light and realized it is not even my choice to make.  My son already made the choice by choosing not to do his work.  I pray I can remember this tomorrow.

Pretty pictures just for fun.  It was about a year ago I took this trip out to see pretty things and take pictures of them.  Just for me.  Need to do that more.  that and buy myself some yellow converse.