Maybe a little bit extreme?

Today I think I may have gone a bit too far.

As a mother I sometimes look back on a situations and hope that I made the best decision. Today hindsight is funny, a bit embarrassing, and very revealing!

This morning I jumped in the shower, like I do every morning, leaving Phearson and Tav to watch the Backyardigans as they do most mornings.

Phearson has had a running nose the last couple of days and is continually wiping his "his boogers". So much that this morning that he finished of the current roll of toilet paper in the bathroom. I managed to talk him through where to find a new roll in the hallway cabinet and life continued.

Whew.

Problem solved and I concentrate on my shower.

Next thing I know I hear yelling (surprise, surprise). Tav has now stolen the roll of toilet paper from Phearson and is ripping off pieces and throwing them on the floor. Phearson is having a complete fit. I ask Tav to bring the toilet paper back into the bathroom. His reply is "No."

Decision time.

Do I let him continue and finish my shower?

Do I continue what I have started?

(I have been trying really hard to follow through on my "threats" and discipline these days. All of the boys seem to be really testing their limits with us.)

So I repeat...

"Tav, stop tearing up the toilet paper and bring it back in the bathroom, NOW, or you will get a "flick".

("The flick" has proven to be a great threat these days in our house. It is just what it sounds like. A flick. Hand, cheek whatever. Usually the threat alone is enough to make them stop what it is they are doing and the actually "flick" doesn't have to be delivered.)

Silence.

I start "the count".

"One... two... three.."

Nothing.

So comes the moment of truth.. what do I do? He obviously thinks that I will ignore his behavior since I am detained in the shower. Now I HAVE to follow through since I have put the threat out there, right?

And today

I followed through.

I jumped right out of that warm shower into that cold air...

Completely naked, dripping water all over the floor and through the hallway, with shampoo in my hair...

Snatched the toilet paper from his surprised little hands and delivered "the flick"!

Now THAT my friends, is follow through.

Shower or no shower

This mom means business.

Although I'm still trying to decide if the permanent picture of their naked, wet, lathered haired, crazy mom will scar them for life.