Scolding Moms

I read somewhere there are two types of moms - kissing moms and scolding moms. If that's true, I'm a scolding mom. With the best intentions in the world, of course.

Being a mom is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Not the loving part - how could I not love these three intelligent, charming, beautiful people? But the raising part.

How much discipline is too much? How do you ensure each has high self-esteem, while being honest about their strengths and weaknesses? How do you teach them to be good people?

I often tell my oldest daughter she was the "practice" child. Despite my conscious effort, I am certainly more lenient with our youngest. Lenient on myself, as well as him. My two daughter taught me that a schedule, while necessary, does not have to be written in stone. How much they eat is not worth fighting over. Clothes must be neat and clean, but other than that, who cares?

I've probably done too much yelling in the past 22 years. And I wish now I'd relaxed more. But whether because of me, or in spite of me, I now have three wonderful young adults to spend time with.  They make me proud to be their mother.

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