Siblings who love.

"Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

The Bible lays the basic ground rules for parenting. But the specifics aren't always apparent. I gain a lot of my parenting strategies from other Christian moms. We talk and suggest this or that worked for us. Christian radio, tv, movies, and blogs are also helpful. I learn a little here and a little there. It feels safe to take this guidance from other Bible-believing people. We all just want what is best for our kids. I can't go wrong when the advice is from a trusted source, right?



It was a few years ago and I was sitting in a Christian women’s group, excited to hear a speaker talk on “Sibling Rivalry.” My two girls are 3 years apart and so different and fought constantly. I was very eager to hear what the speaker, a Christian Psychologist with 4 children of her own, had to say that would help me find peace between my kids.

Her basic concept was that siblings will fight, it is normal and healthy. Don’t interfere unless they are causing botily harm to one another. I remember her saying, “I don’t break up fights unless there is blood.” Everyone in the audience chuckled. The children need to figure out conflict on their own because mom picking sides will hurt their feelings, she said. I also remember this quote that was immensely encouraging (at the time), “Your job as a mother isn’t to make your children be best friends, it is to help them get through childhood without killing each other.”



Whew! I could deal with that. It was such a relief to know my kids were normal. The fighting was normal. The screaming was normal. The bickering, pushing, shoving, angry looks, and hostile exchanges were all normal. I breathed a sigh of relief and continued on in the termoil. Amazingly, or not so amazingly, the outcome didn’t change in our house. There wasn’t any peace.



I still longed for children who got along. Their 3 year age difference didn't seem like a good excuse when I knew they were capable of kindness. I wondered if there was a way to teach my children to be nice and maybe, just maybe, treat one another with love. I opened my Bible and what I saw confirmed this:

"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 

I Timothy 1:5

"And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us...".

Ephesians 5:2

"Let your love be sincere: hate what is evil and hold fast to what is good."

Romans 12:9

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Jesus' words!

John 15:12-13

As I was reading, this sounded nothing like "Your job is to help them get through childhood without killing each other." In fact, the above Scriptures encourage us to love like Christ. No fighting, screaming, bickering, pushing, shoving, angry looks, and hostile exchanges were described.



My growing convictions were enforced when I read my friend Grace's blog post about Sibling Love. She said just what I read in the Scripture, children can be and should be taught to love each other!



My specific parenting method had strayed far from the Biblical basics I desired. So I changed everything. I broke up my children's fights. I listened. I punished any un-loving behavior. Christ-like behavior became the goal. I highly praised kindness and encouraged generosity. Aggressive actions were not allowed at all (keep in mind I have girls I'm dealing with in this scenario, check out Bringing Up Boys for ways to handle aggression in boys).



Yes, this method is lots of work for the parents. It takes more time, but adds more peace. I'll take peace any day over the un-Christ-like turmoil of my previous strategy.

I have seen many changes in my girls. Sure they still have rivalries, but far less often. I see more kindness and more love! They love each other so much and call each other "best sisters." Helping them solve problems and talk through differences is maturing them and growing them into individuals who follow Christ. Remington is just now at 16 months adding a whole other dimension to the sibling rivalry, but he's learning too!



As for the "Christian advice" I listened to a few years ago on siblings.... I wish I would have tested it with the Bible. Her advice did not line up with the love Christ desires in our families. I was naive like Romans 16:17-18 says, "I urge you to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.... By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people."






The Bible doesn't just lay the basic ground rules for parenting -- it gives specifics too. Great advice can be gleaned from trusted Christian sources, but it will always line up with what the Bible says. We must remember to constantly check well-meant ideas with the best Source. 




Happy parenting,

The girls playing an Uno/Go Fish game with made-up rules. :)

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Motherhood is.

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think he enjoyed it."

~Mark Twain

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.  

~Sophia Loren

If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?  

~Milton Berle

The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests. 

~Author Unknown

Any mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease.  

~Lisa Alther

"Children seldom misquote you. They more often repeat word for word what you should not have said."

 ~Mae Maloo

It's not easy being a mother.  If it were easy, fathers would do it.  

~From the television show The Golden Girls

There came a moment quite suddenly a mother realized that a child was no longer hers. ... without bothering to ask or even give notice, her daughter had just grown up.

-Alice Hoffman

It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have...One pair that see through closed doors. Another in the back of her head...and, of course, the ones in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and reflect 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word.

-Erma Bombeck

Her dignity consists in being unknown to the world; her glory is in the esteem of her husband; her pleasures in the happiness of her family.

-Jean Rousseau











* These photos (except for the ones of just the girls) were taken by my friend Jenni. I was doing a session for her and mentioned I wish I had just one good picture of myself. She said she would love to give it a try. I fixed the settings on my camera and we switched places. We got in a lot of laughs as she played photographer. Then, we pulled the kids in and I believe these are priceless pictures I will smile at for the rest of my life.

Motherhood is.... I have no words. Read More.. Read More..

Dear Mom, it's my birthday.

Dear Mom,


On my daughter’s birthday, I stopped on the way to our little-girl-festivities to buy myself a gift. The day was all about her, yet I treated myself because I think of her birthday as partly my day too. No one got me a present or said, “Nice work on the child you bore and are raising.” But I was there. I fell in love with a precious child and became a mother to her on that day. I put in the hours and the emotion. It’s a special day for her... and for me.



So, I bought myself a coffee.



Today is my birthday. But I didn’t have to tell you that Mom. I’m sure the memories swirl around you, some vivid and some vague of a day 30 years ago. You became my mother, my life support. You remember because you were there. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you.



Thank you for carrying me in your body, for being uncomfortable, for going pee often and sleeping little, getting misshapen and then getting cut open so I could be born.



Thank you for adoring me when I was a 25 pound 6 month old with patchy hair and bad baby acne.



Thank you for the sacrifices you made so you could stay home and raise me.



Thank you for doing without so that I was never in need of anything.



Thank you for putting in the time to discipline me…. I never doubted your love.



Thank you for not selling me on the street corner during the difficult 2 year old years… and beyond. (Years 13-19 could be added to here as well).



Thank you for teaching me at home. Even when I didn’t like it, I appreciate the education you gave me. You taught me how to reason. And best of all, you passed on your love of reading and writing to me.



Thank you for allowing me to spread my wings. You always encouraged my independence. I hope I am as understanding, patient, and wise with my own children if one of them someday wants to tour Europe instead of finishing college.



Thank you for teaching me the value of hard work. You and dad modeled it yourself and encouraged, prodded, and made me work. I am thankful you did.



Thank you for praying for me when you didn’t know what else to do. The godly heritage you gave to me is priceless.



Thank you for being my mom.

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. 

 (Author Unknown)


Me and Mom at my 80s themed birthday party.
A mother's love knows no bounds.

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Pillow Pet Acquisition Day

My girls go bazzerk over this commercial. It's a pillow. It's a pet. What's not to love?

The Pillow Pet was an empty pipe dream at $20... until recently. We were at the State Fair and walked right passed a booth displaying Pillow Pets. Emma was beside herself! She asked if we would buy one for her. It never hurts to ask. 

We said no, just in case your forgot what blog you were reading. These parents don't pay full price for over-hyped, sub-quality toys.

It was all Emma could talk about after the fair. One day she used chairs and baskets and found her forgotten piggy bank where I hid it on top of a tall book shelf. She's quite the thinker and remembered that she had stashed birthday money in the bank. It wasn't with the money I keep visible for chores she completes (the total in that jar was about $1.25). Next, she wanted me to help her count the piggy bank money. Our impromptu math lesson came up with a total of $37 and change. She's been saving her birthday money for a few years now... make that 5 years.

"Is that enough for a Pillow Pet?" She asked excitedly.

Gulp.

Over-hyped, sub-quality toy or excited little girl?

I said it was and yes, she could buy a Pillow Pet when we went to the fair that next Sunday.

That would be the end of the story. Not really touching. Not really blog worthy. But there is more....

On Saturday, the day before the day we like to call "Pillow Pet Dreams Fulfilled Day", Emma was having a huge attitude problem. It started when I asked her to help me pick green beans and she preferred to sit in the car. She wouldn't work and I was taking away privileged left and right, but she didn't care. She lost her tv privilaged, then her dessert, and her later bedtime. 

Then I told her to help me snap beans when we got home. How could I? 

Her attitude was getting so bad that it was turning into a horrible fit, screaming and saying nasty things. The discipline I was prescribing was only escalating the situation. It used to work! I was losing my temper and she had already lost hers.  I was really at the end of my knowledge of what to do with her. I put her in time out and I went to my room to calm down. I prayed for wisdom. I prayed for patience. And I prayed for my daughter, showing behavior that was so contrary to the desires I have for her to be a Godly young woman.

God didn't speak audibly to me, but He did bring to my mind a blog post I read a long time ago written by my friend Season. She was describing a fit her daughter was having at the park and how she made it "unproductive" for her daughter to continue her tantrum. I thought about Emma's behavior and how it started because she was unwilling to help with work we needed to do as a family (me and the girls). And also that her behavior escalated to disobedience. While I prayed and thought, I clearly saw my beautiful daughter acting this same way as a teenager. Out of control and selfish, she would ruin relationships and her hardened heart would not know the peace of a life lived in obedience to God.

What would be important enough to her that she would think before she chose selfishly?

The Pillow Pet.

I came out of my room and talked calmly (it was difficult) to her scowling face. I explained that she would no longer be getting the Pillow Pet. The yowling and screaming from her commenced again. She was disappointed now and her crocodile tears showed me that perhaps I had hit the mark. I went and got the envelope with her $20 in it for the Pillow Pet and I took out $1. I told her that I would take out a dollar for her fit.

She yowled louder.

I took out another dollar.

This continued until she finally got the idea and stopped crying. Emma was now missing $3, but talking to me calmly. Relief. We talked for quite awhile about her behavior and she said she was sorry for how she acted. "Now can I get a pillow pet?"

My lecture went something like this, "You selfishly did not want to help your family and that is why I took money away from you. You will only find happiness when you love others above yourself. You do not get what you want when you act disobediently."

She thought about it for awhile and then asked if she could earn the money back. I told her it would be 12 chores at .25c each and each chore would be serving her family. If she had any bad attitude problems I would take away another dollar. With a smile on her face she asked me all afternoon, "What can I do next?"

It was quite the challenge to find 12 chores, but I was proud of her for working hard.... bad attitude long gone this time. Dusting the living room, vacuuming, folding laundry, sweeping, cleaning out the car, unloading the dishwasher.... to name a few.  She earned her money back and prayed that night, "God please help me to obey and be a good girl." Although it was an emotionally tough day I was thankful for it and just as excited as Emma about the Pillow Pet Acquisition.

It was finally Sunday, "Pillow Pet Dreams Fulfilled Day." We went to the fair and Jeff took Mandy and Rem to the garden area to play while Emma and I went to find the Pillow Pet display. Mandy knew what was happening and she wanted a Pillow Pet as well. We knew there would be disappointment, but it would be a lesson for her. Emma and I went to the booth and she happily picked out a lamb and handed the sale's lady the heavy envelope with her money in it. The older women looked surprised and asked if it was $20. I said, yes, it was $20 and Emma had earned the money. She remarked, "I've never seen that before." We smiled and said thank you as we left with Emma's lamb Pillow Pet, the fulfillment of her dreams. The sale's lady called me back and picked up another Pillow Pet off the table and tossed it to me. "She needs two. Have a good day."

Emma and I were both surprised. A free Pillow Pet? Then Emma said without hesitation, "Now we have one to give to Mandy!" When we approached Jeff, Mandy, and Rem, Emma ran to them and gave Mandy the pink bunny thingy. Mandy was delighted! I loved the look on Jeff's face that said, "You didn't buy another stupid stuffed animal just so Mandy would have one too.... did you?" I told him what happened and we reveled in the blessing.

As parents we realize that life isn't fair. We know that our children have to learn things the hard way sometimes. Emma learned through her efforts the day before that hard work and a good attitude are things we have control over. We pray she continues to work hard in obedience with a good attitude! Blessings along the way are an encouragement. For grown-ups and kids too.

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CHM (Chief Household Manager)

I am the Chief Household Manager and my duties are many. Dozens of sub-titles exist under this one heading. I take care of most things that fall in the "household" category including, but not limited to, making sure the shower grout is still white-ish and not moldy (Utility Spore Inspector), looking for 46 unmatched socks after each load of laundry (Missing Items Specialist), and occasionally shoveling out the vehicles so garbage doesn't spill out when we open the doors (Transportation Hazardous Waste Crew Leader) .


One job I was unprepared for when I signed on the dotted line and took this position, was that of Chief Wardrobe Controller. Every member of the family has clothes.... and I'm in charge of them. Outgrown, out of season, out of style (ehem, darling husband, you cannot wear wide-rib, black corduroy pants), worn out, reparable or irreparable... The more people in the family, the more colossal the task.

I had a hard time keeping up with everyone's wardrobe when it was just one baby who was growing through clothes. I kept all of Emma's clothes in nice blue totes.... 15 5 gallon containers for just 0-24 months. It was really insane how many clothes she had. Insane.


Then Mandy came along and grew through clothes even faster. She didn't stay consistent in the sizes like Emma had and is wearing 3T or 4T at age 2. Confused? So is my almighty tote system.


Rem didn't have even a shred of clothing until he was just about to be born. Friends would ask, "Do you need any baby boy clothes?" And I said yes. The donations started rolling in. I counted one day and realized we received blessed hand-me-down clothing from 10 different sources. Really kind friends and family who had baby boys who were no longer babies. There were some new clothes too and that is always fun. No need to worry -- the boy now has plenty of clothes.

I a couple of tricks to hopefully help us all keep our wardrobe monitoring system under control. Here are some ideas I gleaned from wise and experienced friends:

• Limit the outfits per child. Older children will take better care of clothes when their aren't so many items. My friend Season told me this trick that she uses in her household of 7 kids, 2 adults. She suggests 8 outfits, including Sunday clothes, per child. Great idea! I think my children have 30 outfits along on the floor of their room any given evening.

• Save a few nice things out for each coming season so you can refresh the outfits after a few months. Great idea for winter when there are lots of events a few months into the cool weather season and chances are all the winter clothes look warn and/or stained already. -- Jenni B. (mom to 4)

• Be generous with what you have. What goes around comes around. If you have extra, share with a friend. When you are in need, someone will share with you. I heard this from a mom I attend MOPS with. When Remington was born, this principle was so true when people gave me clothes for him for absolutely free. A blessing I am now passing on as I am giving away Rem's outgrown clothes.

• Organize by size and by season. This is especially true when you have 2 children of the same gender but who are different sizes at different seasons. It's more work at first, but quicker when you are looking for the next items for the next child.

That's all I've got. Any tips out there to share?

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Faded

I was changing Rem out of his PJ’s this morning as I normally do after breakfast and play time. I usually do a quick diaper change, put on some clothes and then it’s time for his morning nap. A familiar routine that usually passes without much thought. Yet as my fingers touched his skin, a feeling came over me like a lovely scent that I couldn’t quite place. I looked at the baby squirming about on the changing table. Memories of similar scenes tickled my mind. There were two other babies who left strong impressions, whose soft skin my fingers frequently touched. Things I thought I would never forget were now vague and fleeting as I tried to pinpoint the exact time and place of those common moments. My girls were once this size, once this squirmy, once this soft and sweet, but they grew without asking. Crawling on to the next stage in life.

In an attempt to capture the moment, I sat with my diapered baby in his room. I tickled and blew zerbits on his tummy. His laugh was throaty and his blue eyes seemed to reach into my soul. He crawled over me like a perfect play structure. For an active, almost 9 month old, what could be better than someone to climb on and snuggle with at the same time? He nuzzled his face into my neck as his feet found a perfect perch on my rock hard squishy stomach. Absorbing and loving on this baby was better than any of the luxuries this world has to offer. I’m sure of it.

The girls were entertained in their room with Polly Pockets, an amazing grandma-garage-sale find. But even Polly doesn't keep them for long. They found Rem and me after awhile and I got the camera. I didn’t attempt to wipe anyone’s faces or say, “Sit right here while I take your picture.” I just caught the children doing what they normally do; wrestle and play, squirm and squeel. Being my children, they still found the camera for a cheesy smile every now and then.

Like a warm bath that I would eventually have to get out of, the blessings comforted me to my toes. Time is fleeting and I know that a perfect memory of one particular morning won’t exist. It will fade and be replaced with other things in our ever changing daily life.  But for just right then, it was perfect.

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She gets her athletic abilities from me.

Really I am no athlete. Not even a little bit. I spent my whole childhood and young adulthood avoiding any and all forms of physical activity. I was contentedly happy as a music geek, faining injuries so that I wouldn't have to participate in anything that might make me work up a sweat. Or show how uncoordinated that I was. That method worked so well for me. I assumed that when I had children, they would naturally follow in my music-geekiness footsteps. From music they would learn poise, confidence, and discipline.

In my early twenties I began to see athletics in a different light. Softball is kinda okay with a group of friends. Water sports are a blast. Fall football games are entertaining. And frisbee golf? Well, now that is downright fun. And I began to admire those who enjoy sports and are actually good at them.

Then I went and married into a family who loves, loves, loves sports. Sports Nuts, I call them. (My mother-in-law even has a degree is Physical Education).

Now me and the man I married have a bit of a quandary: sports or music. While I still believe that poise, confidence, and discipline can be learned from music, I also see the added benefits of fitness that goes along with sports. Having my fingers in tip-top shape from playing piano comes in handy for concertos, but not so much when trying to lose pregnancy weight gain.

 Jeff and I have decided to expose our children to sport and music. Crazy. I know. If they show a natural aptitude and/or desire to participate in one more than the other, then fine. Discipline of character is the goal.

We signed Emma up for T-ball this month through the YMCA. Her cousins (Josh and Jake) were doing it and that made T-ball sound way more appealing than the swimming lessons I was planning on.

Twice a week we go to practice and Emma joins the other 4-6 year olds in learning the fine art of hitting a ball off a T with a bat and catching ground balls with a glove.

That's my girl. Or, I should say, my husband's child since the ball actually made it into the glove.

Notice the kids in the right side of the picture? There is a lot of scrambling and falling going on at PeeWee T-ball.

Emma really enjoys it and is learning new skills. She also does a lot of chewing on her glove and staring off into space. Maybe she is related to me after all. 

At the end of each practice there is a game. With so many kids participating, the bases are pretty hard to see. It's a free for all when a player makes a hit. 30 preschoolers swarming the same ball is a pretty funny event. Eventually one child will pop up from the dogpile with the ball in hand and exclaim, "I got it." Meanwhile, the guy up to bat could have made a home run if he knew where the bases were. They'll get it. Hopefully.

Emma is up to bat...

Looking as an objective observer, I see Emma's talents more in the musical realm. She has a beautiful voice and loves to sing. Her ear is very good too and can repeat tunes that I sing or play on the piano. Today I got Taylor Swift's White Horse stuck in my head. I was absently singing it and then heard Emma mimicking, "... it's too late for you and your white horse... to come around." 

Note to self: only absently sing songs that I want my preschooler repeating. Taylor Swift, go away.

For now, it's T-ball.

So, what do you think? Sports or music for children. Neither or all. Both or some?

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My daughters as American Gladiators

Gone unchecked, my children are headed straight for American Gladiators, season 492. The show has been around forever, but in case you've missed it the premiss has super strength, muscle-bound athletes with an attitude engaged in events against everyday, working folks. They do challenges like crossing ice water on high-flying rings, crossing a rolling bridge while obstacles are thrown in the path, and javelin matches where everyone is padded. The real life heros, who are always very fit and strong, are no match for the highly trained and angry gladiators.

My two little beauties would be Defiance and Manipulator. I know, I'm scared. Both nasty character traits are dangerous, but must be handled differently. I take this verse very seriously with my children, "Train up a child in the way she should go and when she is old, she will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6. And training has its challenges, especially when confronted with Defiance and Manipulator. I'm doing my best to keep my girls from being perfect candidates for American Gladiators.

(We had to pose this one, can you tell that I'm not really feeling threatened?)

Defiance is easy to spot in any tantrumming toddler. My eldest child can have a fit that will last and last. Her will is thankfully stronger than her brawn, but even in her younger days she was hard to control. You hear "no" a lot from Defiance and she can't stand help for the simplest tasks. These type of children fight to the finish and are a challenge physically and mentally as they wear down a parent's ability to see the goal. A defiant child also resists discipline with the "I don't care," method. I believe I heard it from Dobson that a defiant child doesn't really like the punishment and to keep on delivering it until you see submission. It can take a very, very long time to see submission. I'm talking hours here and sometimes years for the attitude to completely change. Defiance will wear you down if you aren't equipt. 

There is good news though. The job is so important because the alternative to Defiance is honoring to God. Defiance's stubborn streak will be a powerful advocate for good when her strong will is aimed in the right direction. I've seen this already and love watching my first born battle evil and allowing God to work in her life.

(Not posed, very common attitude)

I thought Defiance was my greatest challenge until I met the Manipulator. While defiance yells in your face, Manipulator plays to your emotions. She might not seem dangerous until you realize that manipulation equals deceit. The 9th commandments talks about bearing false witness and Manipulator is an expert at this:

• whining to get her way
• "needing" to be held and toted around
• crying and wanting hugs to get out of discipline
• showing mean behavior and then immediately saying "sorry"
• stalling obedience with "simple" requests, think endless bedtime

At first glance, you don't mind Manipulators tactics; at least she's not throwing tantrums in public. But without care and training, this child gets what she wants every time. You'll end up with a child who can turn on the tears and manipulate your feelings until you don't know right from wrong. Defiance has you physically, but Manipulator has your emotions. Guard your heart and jump right in. As a parent, I simply can't allow deceitful behavior and teach Manipulator that tears, whining, and stalling won't work. And Manipultor already shows signs of changing her ways. She has great compassion and love and just needs to be given the tools to help others instead of herself.

You might not see the full-blown traits of Defiance and Manipulator in your child, but each one tests the boundaries in ways that are constantly challenging the parent.Hebrews 12:1-3 is such an encouragement as I often feel defeated by the whole team from American Gladiator in my life's role.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart."

I pray for my children daily, that I will be able to train them in the way they should go. Being in the trenches of parenting is hard work and I guess that I why I thought of the American Gladiators today. I might get pummeled occasionally, but the work I do as a parent is so important and I needed to remind myself of that today.

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No more monkeys jumping on the bed

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,

One fell off and bumped his head.

Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,

One fell off and bumped her head.

Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,

One fell off and bumped his head.

Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,

One fell off and bumped her head.

Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,

"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"

One little monkey jumping on the bed,

He fell off and bumped his head.

Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,

"Put those monkeys straight to bed!"

The children in this picture would never dream of jumping on a bed. They would never jump from bed to bed or from the bed to the floor or from the bed to a pile of Pottery Barn duvets and pillows. Beds are for resting and reading and quiet conversations with Olivia and Madilyn.

I was taught growing up to never jump on a bed. It was totally against the rules, but I remember doing it anyway because it was just so darn fun. It was worth the inevitable punishment to jump from the bunk bed in the corner down to the day bed against the wall. The daybed was metal and squeaked like nothing else. Did I think my parents didn't know what I was doing?

Now I am grown and still think that jumping on beds would be totally fun if I wouldn't crack my head open on the ceiling if I tried. But I also have an appreciation for my things, knowing me and my hard working husband have to replace or pay for it if the jumping wrecks the bed, the floor, the Pottery Barn duvets, or the head of one of the jumpers.

Jumping on the bed is against the rules in this house too. But I have to admit that there are many occasions I turn a blind eye to the activity because I don't want to go enforce the rule for the 4,000th time. How much harm could it do? So, now I am curious.... what are other parent's (and non parent's) views on bed jumping. Is it harmless and inevitable? A complete disregard for property and against the rules? Or somewhere in between?

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