If you have to repeat yourself a thousand times before your kids listen, then this message is for you…⁣ (and me, because to be honest, I could use a little refresher in this area…)⁣

The other night, I was in bed reading around 9pm. Sloane was fast asleep and all I could hear was Nate and Ruby giggling, then laughing, and then full on hysterics. Seriously??? I was SO annoyed. All I wanted was some peace and quiet and NOT to have Sloane awake asking why the big kids are always allowed to stay up later than her.⁣

I had already whisper- yelled at them from my bed like five times, and now I was angry. I marched down the stairs, screamed at them, and sent them to their rooms.⁣

“Why do you do this every night? I constantly ask you to be respectful and you guys just do whatever you want. GO TO BED!” ⁣

Then, I went back upstairs to my room and felt awful. First of all, shouldn’t I be happy that my 12 and 14 year old get along so well? Aren’t I grateful for their late-night antics that cement their friendship? ⁣

Yes, BUT… I also really like to go to bed early. That’s important to me. ⁣I don’t want Sloane up. That’s also a huge one. I want to allow them to hang out and have their time together, but not if it disturbs the rest of us. ⁣

What should I have done instead of waiting until hitting my boiling point and screaming at them?⁣

BEFORE they went to hang out, I should have set up some parameters on noise.

⁣BEFORE they got to an insane level, I should’ve dragged my butt out of bed and walked downstairs and nicely asked them to quiet down. ⁣
I also could’ve been more proactive and asked them to hang out in the basement, so that Sloane and I would not be disturbed. ⁣

Can’t win them all, but I hope I will get in front of this tonight. ⁣

If you feel like your kids never listen to you, here are some examples of how you can alter your delivery when speaking to your kids.

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