Home
Today Eamon and I were hanging out in the kitchen, eating a piece of toast and talking. He was in a mini-time-in because of some misbehaviors while "helping" Jeff wash the car, so I guess he was feeling a bit contemplative. After a bite of toast, he said to me, "In Russia, the mamachkas spanked me a long, long, long, long time. And there was no Mama Papa Store."* I replied, "There was no Mama and Papa Store because you didn't live with a Mama and Papa." He thought about this a bit, looked at me and said in his deep, serious voice, "I'm home now, Mama." Then he burried his head in my neck and gave me a hug.
I totally welled up. In fact, I'm welling up a bit now. It's times like these that make all the struggles of raising kids with traumatic backgrounds worth it.
* In our house, we reward the kids for chores and really good manners with pennies. If they break the rules or have really bad manners, they lose pennies. At the end of the day, they can use the pennies they have left over to buy goodies from the "Mama and Papa Store."
I totally welled up. In fact, I'm welling up a bit now. It's times like these that make all the struggles of raising kids with traumatic backgrounds worth it.
* In our house, we reward the kids for chores and really good manners with pennies. If they break the rules or have really bad manners, they lose pennies. At the end of the day, they can use the pennies they have left over to buy goodies from the "Mama and Papa Store."
*sniff* Those are the best fuzzy warm feelings in the world isn't it? I love those feelings.
By the way, what can they get from the "Momma and Poppa Store?" Can I shop there too? :)
I am a trememdous sap, so you know I welled up over this post. Eamon is adorable and so insightful. Did you let him out of "time-in" for that comment? I would have caved and given him the whole "momma and poppa store."
When I told Ed this story last night, I almost couldn't get through it because of the tears. Then he got all emotional, too! What a great story. And what a great Mom you are!!!!
The Mama and Papa store has stuff like stickers, Hershey's kisses, and Eamon's favorite, Teddy Grahams. It actually works pretty well for rewards when the kids do chores. Kind of like a mini-allowance. I'm not too fond of using it for manners though because I want them to behave because it's the right thing to do, not because they want to buy a Hershey's kiss. Oh well...our parenting is constantly evolving....
Well now I'm welled up too! I can't wait for those moments.
That is SO sweet!
I think I have something in my eyes!!!
:)
Jeff & Family
It is those moments you live for.
I am a teacher too. I teach 2nd grade. What do you teach?
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
Currently I'm working as a substitute teacher, so that I can have a more flexible schedule with the kids. I actually am enjoying subbing much more than I thought I would! As a new teacher, it is nice to have the opportunity to work in different classrooms and different grades, to find out what I like and what I don't.
he kids are precious! What a good idea to have a mama and papa store! The story you told made me so asd....My son has chosen to block out his time in the orphanage....maybe someday he'll want to talk about it.
www.sappfamilyadoption.blogspot.com
They are so adorable! I have read your blogs and enjoy following along. As we are new to the journey and adopting two as well. Are yours both from the same orphanage? What age limit did you give? Love the Momma and Poppa store idea! MaliMai
lamaterrell@verizon.net
AHhhhhhhh.