The Value of Expectations

Our household has been running mad lately, and not because we are so incredibly busy. I have discovered it is because of the lack of expectations lately. There has been no completion of chores, no homework, no NOTHING. I've decided that life is a lot more chaotic when everybody is allowed to run around doing whatever they feel like.

I have discovered the value of expectations.

Today we woke up, they were allowed to watch TV for a moment, but then it was time to work. The dishes were done, garbage taken out, and rooms cleaned. I am getting ready to start bathrooms after this entry. :) What a difference! No fighting, no whining, grumbling, anything of the sort. They are much too busy.

This applies spiritually as well. We are expected to live to a certain standard and when it is not reached, I can tell. My life is not as happy and I am not very pleasant to be around. So this morning I put myself back on schedule to read, pray, and be thankful.

I find it funny that all we long for is a little freedom to do whatever we want. When we finally get it, we realize it wasn't as great as we thought it would be!

Here's to a lesson learned and a life time of expectations! I'll be better for it!

PS making expectation charts for each kid and what they need to work on. One for myself too. Treating ourselves when those are reached! I'll have to share when I get them done.

Comments

Taryn said…
Good ideas! Your always on the right track!
June 7, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Darrell and Alissa said…
Our first day of summer starts on Wednesday... we made the fun summer to do list, but my kids don't know tonight we will be making the not so fun expectation list for summer... got to get stuff done before the fun- I always hated that rule as a kid, but now I get it!!
June 7, 2010 at 2:48 PM
Audrey Taylor said…
I got this cd from the Love and Logic series about sibling rivalry. The key to putting a stop to their bickering is putting them to work. This one older woman that is talked about a lot on there said that working together didn't make them love each other, but it made them good at pretending they loved each other. And the better they got at pretending, the more they actually did love each other!
June 8, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Jennae said…
We have also had to reevaluate things. Mom (me) was getting super frustrated at the house being so messy every night and really tired of cleaning it everyday so we started giving the kids some chores and WALLLLLLAAA, I'm happier, the house is cleaner, the kids are happier (because mom isn't so grumpy).

Now I need to work on the spiritual side a little.....props to you for always remembering that portion needs constance as well!
June 11, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Changes Around Here

Image
Now that our computer is up and running, I'll fill you in on our latest happenings. Not in one post of course. I'll have lots to say for a while. Our biggest news is that Dustin has officially started the police academy . We are adjusting. The kids are taking it the worst, but I'm not fairing very well either. He is gone all day Mon- Thurs., and all day Sat. The kids are sad that he is gone so much and constantly ask where he is. Then they catch themselves, and remind themselves, that he is at the academy . I have noticed that my patience is lacking. It is something I'm trying to work on. Doing a lot by myself has stressed me out a bit. We'll get through it though. I'm excited for Dust. This is a dream come true for him. He is excited! We have decided that he will keep his Salt Palace job and get on the reserves in Bountiful or Lehi . They start out as part-time. This way we don't take such a pay cut. He is learning A LOT! He shows me every night. I am his ...
Read more

Counting My Blessings- Faith

Image
  “Faith is not so much something we believe, Faith is something we live.” - Joseph B Wirthlin 🌱🌿🌳 I’m not quiet about my Faith. It is truly a part of who I am. It always has been. It has been something I have continually worked on all my life. When I was young and lived Missouri, I was the only member of my Faith. My family was the only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the whole school. There were a couple of friends who were members of the RLDS (now known as The Community of Christ). I felt a connection with them because at least our religions stemmed from the same founding. Yet, it still was different. I knew this after having conversations with them. And, even though I was the only member of my Faith, I still had great friends who practiced other religions, or none at all. I remember having sleepovers at friends’ homes on Saturday nights, and then waking up on Sunday and going to church with them. I’m so grateful my parents were so open and willi...
Read more

A New Chapter In Motherhood

Every now and then I get all sentimental while looking at my kids. Today was one of those days. What sparked it? My 16 year-old walking into the door of his new place of employment! I can't believe one of my kids is old enough to work. Well, old enough to work and get paid by someone other than me.  I'll tell you it was a little like sending him off to his first day of school. I was worried  he'd be nervous. I was worried his boss might be mean. I was worried about what type of people he would be working with. Would they be nice to him? It all seems so silly. He's sixteen, not six! But I'm a mom. Mom's are like that sometimes. I asked Ryan how it was when I picked him up- he's working to save money to drive. He really likes it. He worked the grill and firer. He was burned a couple of times. He said he was slow at first, but by the end of the night had found his groove. I'm glad he enjoys working. I'm glad he's building a good work ethic....
Read more