the light

 Lauren Conrad for Kohl's cardi; Target tank, jeans (similar) and shoes; Coach purse, Curiouscreatures necklace.   First of all, thanks you to everyone who sent kind words about my discipline problems with my kids! It means so much to know I am not the only one with strong willed kids and not the only one who struggles. I think it is interesting how it seems stronger to not admit that things are going wrong, to not admit that you don't really know that you are doing, or to not admit that you are struggling. Us moms like to feel like we are invincible because that is how our kids see us. We don't want others to know we may be failing, or yelling too much, or becoming more violent with our kids than we want to be. We want to seem like we are wonder moms! Look at how great my kids are! Great manners! Great listeners! It validates us and makes us seem better to the outside world, when in fact it is a mess inside the home and we are just showing the shell of things. I admit I don't have that glamorous of a life. My kids sometimes wear ugly, old clothes because I haven't done the laundry, and they eat chicken nuggets too often, and they watch more tv than they should. I'm hoping all this won't matter as long as they can look back someday and know that I loved them with all my heart and they were my priority and that I did my best. As for the results from the self help book I read on setting limits (Not hard limits, as I kept saying. Damn Fifty Shades of Grey!) Day three and my children are more respectful, they listen better and they and their mother are living more peacefully. Firm limits and follow through everytime with consequences is the key. They still test me, but I have better skills to react to it. So far, so good!