Mothering being a learned ability, most of us learn it from our moms. The same is true for me. My mom, Mama as you know her, was always careful to make sure that we weren't left with hard feelings. She disciplined us verbally and physically, but after allowing us a moment to sulk, she cuddled us up and made us understand that she still and always loved us. I find myself following that rule, that a child should not be left with "a bad mind" as she put it. I tried to remember that the purpose of discipline was to correct a behaviour that was detrimental to you or the family.
Mama also: read us bedtime stories, prayed with us, tucked us in, gave lots of gentle loving pats, baked with us, sang with us, skied/skated/swam with us. I learned all these things from Mama.
One thing that Mama did that was annoying to me was her obsession with quiet. I know that we often lived in places where the walls were thin, such as duplexes or apartments, but never allowing us to make noise because we might disturb someone else left me feeling that we were of less importance than others. They could make noise and take up space, but we couldn't. In this area, I have tried to break with tradition, and allow my kids to make noise. You have as much right as the next family to be on the planet! I do not condone being rude, but you are allowed to enjoy your life, and if being loud is how you need to do it, then my dears, go for it!
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