ADVICE

My mom used to say... Yes, I have become the mother of repetitive phrases. Praying that some of them stick. "Take a deep breath and take a step back" - this is my answer for anger. The breath gives you a moment to collect yourself and the step back, well, that's because your body seriously wants to do SOMETHING, like hitting the brother, so this gives it something to do; hopefully avoiding the brother, or at least putting you a little out of range, so when you swing, you'll miss. (I try). In addition to that I've had to add a new one - Tyler came home from school and said that anger made you stronger because one of the kids at school (sigh), had stronger muscles when he was angry. so.... "Control makes you stronger than anger". Thank God for Tae Kwon Do and Master Smith - the perfect example. Does Master Smith stay in control? yes. Is he the strongest person ever? yes. Think about it. Well, that should hold them until they watch the HULK. This next one ties into the but-the-kids-at-school hubbledeefubble. "At the end of the day - you have to look YOURself in the mirror". Whatever the others do, wrong or right, you have to make your own choices and YOU have to live with them. This is a new one, but I don't think it will be the last time I say it. They are starting to make their own choices but I can only give my children tools to handle situations, to make good decisions, and to discern right/wrong. One I haven't used yet but I firmly believe in: "be thrifty with things and generous with people.