Brown Eyes

Today was a calm, beautiful day and my 5-year-old son was still in bed. Oh, but when he gets up, the day will be on. As I started my day I knew it was going to be on with my son Shane. This five-year-old had a will like no other. He challenges me more than any job. It started with breakfast. “Shane, eat your oatmeal, it will make you grow up to be strong like your daddy.” “No, I don’t like oatmeal.” So here it starts, the disobedience, the testing of who will back down first. Him looking at me with those big brown eyes. I am determined I am not going to give in to his disobedience.

Shane sat quietly at the table staring at the oatmeal. “Shane, how long are you going to sit at that table?” He just looked at me with a blank stare. One hour went by and I was getting frustrated. “Shane go to your room,” I said to him. He got up and went to his room. After an hour, I went to his room and what I saw shocked me. Toys everywhere. You couldn’t see any floor. “Shane, you are to pick up this room or you cannot come out.” He just stared at me with those big brown eyes. His puppy dog eyes were not going to get to me this time. His will was going against mine but I was determined he was going to obey. One hour went by, then two, and then I heard,” Mom, I did it. My room clean. Can I come out now?” I thought finally I broke his will. I won. We may have a great day after all.

Here I go down the hall to see his big accomplishment. I opened the door and there it was; a beautiful clean room. “Shane you are such a good boy,” I said. He just smiled and said,” Can I go play now?” “Yes, Shane but stay where I can see you.” Shane went outside. As I was cleaning, I reflected on the events that happened during the day. Was I too hard on Shane about the food? Sending him to his room for two hours? But the outcome; he did clean his room. This was a great improvement. Now if I can get him to eat properly. If we do not discipline our children, they may grow up not to reference God and obey his word. It is up to parents to teach them the moral codes and to learn to have respect for authority. I continued with cleaning. I started folding clothes and putting them up. I went to put the clothes up and when I opened the closet; no toys. I looked around and what did I see? Toys stuffed under the bed. I shouted outside,” Shane, come back in this house.” He came in, and back to his room he went. By this time, I was frustrated. Is he going to beat me down? No, he is not. He may be stubborn as a bull but I am going to bring him up to be an adult fit for society. He really has a good heart and makes friends easy. He also helps look after his little brother that was just born. I have so many high hopes for Shane. He is more than the average kid. He was walking at 10 months old and talking at a year old. When he started talking he did not quit. So I look forward to this little guy growing up to be a good man.