Ransoming Comfort

Our middle school son, Riece, has officially hit adolescence.

This is the end of his 7th grade year and despite a couple little run-in's here and there, I was beginning to think that middle school years would be a breeze.  We had this one in the bag.  Then again, we thought this same thing when he, our firstborn, adapted so easily to a sleeping schedule.  We thought we were parenting ninjas.  We must have read the right books and went to the right classes.  We couldn't understand why other parents struggled to get sleep.  Then we had our second son and I haven't slept since.

The past couple months have ushered in a new parenting season where boundaries are tested and attitudes smell like old shoes.  Due to consistent bad choices, we grounded him from friends, video games, television, his phone, and computer time.  Yet we allowed him to find things to entertain himself after completing his schoolwork. This didn't work out so well.  He kept finding trouble.

We came to the conclusion that we had made his life too comfortable, even while being grounded and it was time to get his attention.

Candy Canes and Consequences

My plans for Family Night included candle-lit fondue dinner (a first for the boys) followed by touring the area  Christmas light gazing, sipping cocoa from travel mugs, and eating candy canes and while caroling to Christmas music.    'Oohing and aahing' at homes swathed in twinkling color ranks as one of our favorite family traditions.

Our home boasts humble white twinkle lights.  Peaceful.  Clean.  Simple.  The boys beg for color lights and I gently explain that my life is full of color thus the peaceful white lights help me keep my sanity.  They roll their eyes and continue begging.

This particular evening was to be a surprise. Each element was quietly planned and supplies were ready.  Veggies and meat were ready to be sliced.  Mugs for hot cocoa were washed.  Candy canes and cookies were set out.  Unfortunately the rascals decided to misbehave.  A lot.