Kung Fu Joe

Today Joe, Hannah, Megan and I went to see Kung Fu Panda.....perhaps this was a mistake. Joe was kung fuing all the way out of the theater and down the street to the van. He is still kung fuing all over the house. Joe has more energy in his small pinky toe than I have in my whole body. There are so many times when I'm just sure everyone wonders why I don't "control" my child. There are certainly times when I wonder that myself. I think of the times when he first started to go to primary and the leaders would bring him to me because they could not keep him dressed..he would disrobe right there in the primary room. I remember walking past the primary room and seeing him running around the podium as the leaders tried to catch him, or the time he was holding a chair up over his head to show everyone how strong he is. My biggest nightmare is the call on the phone "Sister Schafer, will you substitute in Joe's class on Sunday?"......I would much rather eat dirt, thank you. Class is spent with Joe rolling on the floor, or standing on the tower of chairs in the corner...as the rest of the class watches in awe. I have six children...you would think I'd know what to do in these instances.....I've tried being nice, I've tried being mean, I've tried time outs, spanks, bribes, civil talkings to, the look, the snap, etc...etc... A gal in our ward taught us a class on parenting and I got some wonderful ideas from her...I need to validate, validate, validate. Sister Yarrington is sooo good at this! I tried it just like she showed us...Joe was upset..I looked at him and said "you are mad! Mad, mad, mad!" Joe's response to this? He stopped throwing his fit, looked at me with vulture eyes and said in a very deep, low, growl..."DON'T DO THAT". Then a friend reminded me that I need to validate in my own way and in my own language. I'm practicing. My first reaction is to get mad with him...that doesn't work, though. I tell you...there are some days when I feel so tired...then Joe will come up to me and give me a kiss and say "I love you mom." and go on his merry way. I love you too Joe! You bring so much to me and to our family...can't imagine it without you! Oh, and can I just say....it's gotta be the red hair! Those redheads are gonna be the death of me!