Every week I try to think of something that works for me that someone else might not have already thought of…it’s hard, there are amazing women (ok, maybe a couple of men) thinking of ideas and creative ways of doing things…today, my WFMW is about R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Not the “I am so much better than others” respect because that is JUST FALSE. I am talking about the kind of respect our children should give to us as well as other adults.
We have instituted a rule at our home, if a parent (or other adult in an authoritarian position) calls your name, you are to respond “Yes ma’am (or sir), I’m coming” and quickly follow with the actual action of coming. If the child does NOT follow this simple rule, they sit in a time out (the length of time they have been alive, 1 minute per year). It is working so well, I am no longer screaming instructions from other rooms of the house, I LOVE IT!
So respect WORKS FOR ME! To see more WFMW, please visit Shannon’s blog ASAP! And while you are at it, go visit Jamie’s blog and if she doesn’t post a WFMW, comment and ask her to, she has a great idea!!!
Marvelous idea! I enjoy your site also.
By: JC on May 28, 2008
at 2:37 am
Hey Girl! I was wanting to get your recipe for the punch you made. It was some kind of mocha?? You can email me at shawnahss@hotmail.com or send it to my blog. I am having wedding shower here on Sun. Thanks, shawnah
By: Shawnah on May 28, 2008
at 1:32 pm
I couldn’t imagine my kiddos calling me ma’am, but maybe I could switch it to Mom & it would work great.
By: Ginny on May 28, 2008
at 1:54 pm
I couldn’t get into the ‘ma’am’ and ’sir’ thing, either, (it would make me feel old) but I like “yes, mom” and “yes, dad”! It’s too late for me–my youngest is 18. (And, fortunately, all four of my kids are awesome.) But I once spoke to the dad of five boys and he said one thing he taught them from the earliest age was to come immediately when they heard the sound of his (or mommy’s) voice. It isn’t just respect, I think, but a safety issue, too. Kids should never hesitate to respond to their parents–what if something was wrong? What I would also suggest is that, when you want to have a conversation, teach your kids to come where you can see them when you talk–or you’ll end up shouting around corners or down staircases, LOL!
By: mom2fur on May 28, 2008
at 3:23 pm
I was raised to say “yes sir and ma’am” as well. I like the idea.. it really does promote respect.. Thanks for the tips..
By: Tara on May 28, 2008
at 8:10 pm