The 5 Minute Rule

Like most moms, I have some rules in my house.  Not very many...but a few.  Don't run in the house, keep your drink in the kitchen or dining room, and using indoor voices.  One of the ones that usually stops fake crying pretty quickly is the, "If you're going to throw a fit, do it in your room" rule.  We don't usually have much "fit throwing" at home because they know this is what will happen. 

So, when the school year started, of course, we all had some adjusting to do.  It has been rough, and just when I think we're on a roll because we've had 3 consecutive "good mornings" in a row....we have a morning like this morning.

Let me just say that my son is a lot like his Daddy....and maybe a little bit like me.  Marc HATES mornings...and so do I!  He hates getting up, he hates having to eat breakfast so early, and he hates having to get dressed.  This is all so familiar to me, and his Dad just doesn't understand what we go through every morning.  Dad and Kirsty Jo get up every morning with a smile on their face, ready to eat breakfast and go.  Well...most of the time.  This morning was different...

So, this morning, with both my children throwing fits we had a problem.  I was quickly loosing my cool, we were running late, Kirsty Jo was screaming while I was brushing her hair and Marc had just stopped crying.  So, when we finally made it to the car I said,"OK, 5 minutes, no talking".  I got some complaints at first and simply said,"Time just started over."  What I found was after 5 minutes of silence, I was calmer, Kirsty Jo had stopped crying and Marc was eating his breakfast (that he had refused earlier). 

So, from now on, we have the 5 minute rule.  If we've had a rough morning, when we get in the car, there will be 5 minutes of silence.

PS: If you're wondering about the picture I chose for this blog here is my explaination: This is Red River, New Mexico.  Growing up I spent many summers here.  When I think of Red River, I think of peace.  During our 5 minutes of silence this morning...I thought of peace!