Be nice to me!

Mouth full of grapes. Made us laugh hysterically for 10 minutes!

You know the saying, "Treat people how you want to be treated!" and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? This is so applicable as a mother.


Unfortunately, it turns more into, "Do unto your children as you would have them do unto each other."


As I was sitting at the computer this morning, Joshua was struggling through his breakfast, and what was worse, Eva was already done and reading books on the couch.


"COME HERE NOW, EVA!" Joshua bellowed.


I winced.


Yes. He got that from me.


I called him to me (in an even tone) and told him not to talk to Eva like that. It was later that he, in a cranky imitation of me, said, "Eva! Don't talk to me like that!" Looks like I gotta work on some things...


What got me was yesterday when Joshua was trying to persuade Eva to come and do his bidding. He was lying on the kitchen floor, and wanted Eva to bring him something. Eva wouldn't have any of that (for which I am glad...for some reason it bothers me when Joshua has her go get things for him and she says, "okay!" like he is asking her to eat a pile of candy.). She petulantly said, "NO!" Josh complained, "She's not obeying!"


Bleh...


Trying to explain to him the different roles in a family is basically useless. In his mind, he is older and bigger, and that means that anyone younger and smaller is his acolyte.


I guess I am feeling this more so because of how I feel towards Lily. I want her to be happy and comfortable all the time, so I try and anticipate her needs and do things for her that, if I were in her position, I would be grateful for. Which is why I hold her head when she sneezes. I mean, if you had a floppy neck, wouldn't you want someone to help you prevent whiplash? I don't know when I stopped being so conscious of what Josh and Eva need. So I am grateful that I have my little Lily to remind me of how I should behave to my children (and everyone else for that matter).


Can you imagine what this world would be like if everyone was conscious of the needs of others all the time? "And there was no poor among them..."