former critic

When I was teaching I will admit that I was highly critical of parents. I often wondered how parents could let their children be exposed to things and why parents would allow some behaviors from their children....I now know I was being a pretty harsh judge.
Now that I have two children of my own (even if they are both still under 2), it is safe to say that I hate disciplining my kids. I know as their parent it is my job, but that doesn't mean that I enjoy it. However, when I think of the consequences of not disciplining them, it makes it all seem so much better. Finding a effective discipline technique has been a challenge. Gunnar laughs when we smack his hand, his butt, or thigh under his butt since he wears a diaper, so we have had to be a little creative, but luckily he is usually a pretty good boy.
I try to be selective about what my kids watch. I think it is horrible that Kyle lets Gunnar watch SpongeBob. Gunnar also climbs up on Kyle's lap and watches the occasional Simpson's show (another dislike of mine). But those are the worst things he watches.
Keeping this in mind today I walked in Gunnar's bedroom and saw him with his water gun Kyle bought him a while back. He had it up against his shoulder and was making the motions and noises as if he was shooting Kyle who was asleep on the floor. Gunnar thought he was hilarious. He was cracking himself up. I did not think it was so funny. I thought about the many conversations I have had to have with parents about their children playing "guns" at school. I then had the fearful thought that in four years I will be the one being talked to by one of his teachers. I even heard all the same excuses go through my head that I used to get so annoyed at, "well, his father is in the army, what do you expect?" or my favorite "boys will be boys."
After I took the gun away Gunnar picked up a doll and started rocking it and patting its back, proving to me once again that he really can be a sweet boy.
Today I was also thinking about how fun it is to see your children learn to play with their toys properly. They go from being totally uninterested to pushing their cars and making car noises. Today I saw Gunnar making his toy helicopter fly, and his toy people walk. I love watching his imagination blossom. Watching a young life develop confirms once again to me what an amazing God we have. I can't wait until Ryker starts playing with toys. Right now is satisfied rolling all over the place and putting things in his mouth. Although he has started enjoying the bouncer the last couple of days.
Sometimes I wonder if sound effects that go along with cars (or trucks) and guns are just built into boys....

Here are some picture of the happenings around our house today...