Lessons Learned

Well, we have had the kids about two and a half months and have had some struggles, but there have been tons and tons of joy! Children really are a blessing from God. They keep me down to earth and I am reminded daily of their complete innocence. Don't get me wrong, they screw up just like anybody else and tell a fib now and then and will try to manipulate you. But their love is unconditional. The hard part is remembering that emotionally, they are a year or two younger than their physical age.
I have a hard time punishing any of our kids. Considering the past of the three youngest, I really have a hard time punishing them when they do something wrong. But, we have to teach them boundaries because they really do not have any. Time sitting in momma's or papa's lap is the most common form of punishment. In the long run, they seem to be okay with it and understand when they have done something bad (fighting, taking something not theirs, etc.). This type punishment would send the oldest three screaming!

One of the things we have recently learned is that the two youngest have no concept of ownership. They do not care if a toy they have been given is destroyed or thrown away. They do care if someone else takes their toy, but that is where the attachment to the toy stops. Lesson, buy toys from the dollar store.