Because temper tantrums don't work

My kids LOOOOOOVVEE having temper tantrums. I'm talking full on kicking, screaming, crying banging head and hands and feet on the floor temper tantrums. It's not a "normal" night for us unless one or both children have at least 1 temper tantrum. In fact I'm writing this around 6pm and my daughter hit/bit her dad and she's headed to an early bedtime in a full on temper tantrum right now.


I get overwhelmed very easy. Neither child will listen to me, they both hang on me constantly and with both of them crying and a stressed out mom it's not a good picture. I waited for my husband to get home this afternoon and then I excused myself to my bedroom and had my own minor temper tantrum which included screaming into a pillow.


Feelings of failure as a mother incircled my heart and my head as I cried and screamed into said pillow. I'm tired of screaming at my kids with 0 results it's time for something new. It's time to learn different discipline tactics.

After I regained my composure I proceeded downstairs and God spoke to my heart.


"Mandy, I'm sure that temper tantrum felt good but they don't work for your children they won't work for you. Lets do something productive." (Maybe He didn't say these exact words but it got the point across just the same.)

  So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Colossians 3:12-13 msg

I always looked at this scripture in the context of bearing with another adult who does you wrong but this can be said of kids too. They sin just as much as we do, except they are little and it's not really seen as sinning. They like to push limits, test waters and when all else fails turn to hissy fit-screaming edition. They are not the enemy, this spirit of rebellion has got to go but until it does I'm to clothe myself in gentleness, patience, kindness humility and compassion. It's so hard to do that when all I want to do is throw a temper tantrum too. Being a mom is exhausting but God keeps telling me it's gonna be worth it so I'm going to trust my Heavenly Father, bear with my kids and keep pushing through because temper tantrums just don't work.