Brrr...

We have had to use some interesting parenting skills in expanding our brood.
One morning, after many mornings of a surly preteen, I was done with the contention. Everyone else's day was starting off so negatively because of one person. I had prayed about what to do and was fortunately answered that morning early this week. When the disagreements (and door slamming and yelling and all else that a preteen might want to use as a tool to get their way) had come to an all time high, I calmly explained that we don't treat people that way in our home. I then promptly placed the boy outside and welcomed him to join us when he was ready to be kind. It was 6:15 am. There was ice on the grass. Needless to say, he came in very shortly. And we've had good morning since.