gettin' tough on crime

summer means that my kids are spending a lot more time with each other which means a lot more laughter and fun... but don't let those smiling faces fool you. there's also a lot more fighting around our house as well. and this momma, well she's OVER it. i feel like we have tried everything. natural consequences (but the most natural consequence of being mean to a sibling is that they won't like you. that's not really what we want). lecturing. and disciplining til we are blue in the face.

i realize that, though natural, fighting between siblings is primarily an issue of the heart. a sick heart. or several of them as the case may be. the symptoms include things such as selishness, impatience, envy, rudeness, self-righteousness and insecurity. what they need, what we all need is a heart transplant. but, i can't do that. i can pray for them. i can encourage them, but i can't make them have affection for one another.

i have heard, though, that laughter is the best medicine. so that is what i have resorted to. it is impossible to be mad at someone you are laughing with, so the way we have gotten tough on crime around here is by using laughter as a discipline tool.

for example, tate and emma had to skip down the street holding hands in plain daylight. brutal.

jack and em had to make up a dance together. it was pretty good.

i am enjoying getting tough on crime. i'd welcome any ideas for their torture betterment.