3 Things You Don’t Know About My Well Behaved Children

Well behaved kids aren't seen hitting their little sisters in the head with toys, screaming in Daddy's ear, or throwing food at the restaurant.  Those are the sorts of things my kids do and it's easy for me to get frustrated. Then, some sweet old couple comments to my husband and I about how nice our son is when he kisses his sister's head, how well he's eating, or how cute it is that he's squealing with delight….

The thing is, my kids are well behaved sometimes and sometimes they're not.  What's the difference? It's just that you missed the moment before when they were being little monsters and you're just getting to enjoy the cuteness.

Misty from Joy In The Journey blog knows all about it. Here's what she has to say about what you don't see with well behaved children:

There are a few things you don't see in well behaved children.

For instance…

The work it took to train them

It is hard to teach children to behave. We all disobey and break the rules at some point, so we cannot expect any less of our children. Our choice is how we handle it. Sometimes, it is easier to give into our children in the moment instead of taking the time to train them. But, there is fruit in staying strong and persistent.

Well-behaved kids do not happen overnight. It is exhausting.

The misbehavior that took place RIGHT before you complimented them

I always laugh when I go to the doctor’s office, because EVERY time the nurse or doctor comes in and says they can’t believe how quiet the kids are. What they don’t see is the fact that my youngest was usually climbing like a wild man right before he came in. He just runs to the chair as soon as the door opens.

The doubt the mom has that she is doing it right

Every mom, regardless of how her children act is probably wondering deep down if she is doing it right. Sometimes I think I am too hard on my kids. Yes, for the most part, they are well-behaved, but I also wonder if I don’t put too much pressure on them. I wonder if someday my kids aren’t going to rebel because I didn’t let them take an iPod to church, or because I made them sit and listen to the sermon. I wonder if they are going to get their own apartment someday and never wash a dish because I made them clean up after themselves when they were little (I really did that, my first apartment was a disaster). All moms have doubts, and all moms compare themselves, and their children to others. Whether this is right, or wrong we all do it, or have done it at some point in our lives.

I'm always doubting that I'm getting it right. I'm always reevaluating and trying to come up with new, better ways to get my kids to behave.  It helps to remember that those other kids I see being little angels at the moment were probably little devils just a few minutes before. The mom of the angel kids is probably thinking and feeling the same way that I am. We're all in this together after all.

Want to read more about raising well behaved kids? Check out the complete article at Joy In The Journey blog.