I took my three children to services for Ash Wednesday. Of course, we had trouble getting out of the house and were a bit late. I broke the 11th commandment for parents of young children: "Thou shalt not sit towards the front just because the church is full".
I knew I was in trouble when my three-year-old son started chatting up the girl in the row behind us. It turns out they are classmates in preschool. He was giggling, smiling, and waving, while saying loudly "Mommy I think she likes me!" By the end of the mass, I kid you not, he had professed his love to her.
As if that weren't bad enough, my 9-year-old couldn't contain herself. She was bursting with laughter.
I was humiliated on every level.
Usually, this is the part of the blog where I research some great piece of advice that I found that will change my life forever... not happening today. I haven't read any advice that on this matter that I really think would help.
My parents, and most parents in the generations before us, did seem to have tighter reins on their kids. I think we can try and take a page from their book. If I punished the kids after church I may have made a more lasting impression. I'm truly a softy at heart and I think they see through my empty threats.
My only advice to myself and anyone else in the same position? Bring cheerios for the three-year-old, show up on time and don't sit next to any friends!
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