But I don't wanna...

Dave and I decided that we would make our kids finish what they started - always.

I thought that principle would be good to instill into our children since it's an admirable trait...you know, finishing things?

So, we have.

Half way through t-ball, ok, who are we kidding, halfway through the first game Luke told us that he was done.  But no, we made him finish his season and he ended up loving it.

Usually, during a page of school work that is especially difficult one or both of the twins will say they are done.  But no, I make them finish it - because we finish what we start.

Now we are doing soccer, and so far our kids love it.  But I know it's coming, when their feelings get hurt, or they have to sit out for awhile longer than desired and they tell me they are done.  And I will, yet again, tell them no because we finish what we start.

Cute, huh?

Except, what happens when, Emma (because it will be Emma who points out my fatal flaw and informs me I am grossly coming up short in an area) looks at me and says, "Mommy, when are you going to finish the laundry?  Remember, we need to finish what we started..."

Or, "Mommy, when are you going to wash that last pan in the sink?  Remember, we need to finish what we started..."

Or best of all, "Mommy, weren't you supposed to exercise EVERY day?  What happened?  You are going to finish what you started, right?"

As I was thinking about it, I always often start things with an excitement and then, well, life happens.

I know, horrible excuse.

But really, people, LIFE HAPPENS.  All 4 kids get sick.  Or I get sick.  Or the dishwasher breaks (because Lord knows, I HATE doing dishes by hand) or whatever...life happens.

And then things that once were exciting and enjoyable even become tedious chores added to my plate that, really, I don't have time for...ok, I don't want to make time for.  And then I neglect them.

Often times, I commit to things and then there is a lapse in time from when I make my commitment to when I have to fulfill it, and that time is enough for me to question my sanity in committing in the first place and convince myself that I really can't take another thing on.

Nice, Melissa.  I know my kids are watching.  I know that they are looking to see if I in fact stop drinking diet coke since I said a couple of weeks ago I was going to stop.  I know Emma is looking to see if I actually will exercise every day like I said I was going to so I could get more healthy for myself and our family.  And then, I can see their disappointment in their faces when they ask, "What are you drinking?"  And I confess to them it's diet pop...and not grown up juice.  Darn 4 year olds know everything...just ask them - they will tell you.

Do you finish what you start?  Do you make your kids finish what they have started?  Or do you allow them to quit when it becomes no longer enjoyable or too hard?

Now, I am going to get ready for our daily preschool class that I committed to doing with the kids daily - even though it's entirely unenjoyable for me and quite tedious...but I must finish what I started, so they will do the same...