Jason goes to time out.

Every Sunday after reading the comics, I read John Rosemond's column. Dr. Rosemond is a pediatrician who writes and lectures on parenting the old fashioned way. I agree with 98% of what he says, because he mostly says common sense.

Yesterday's article was about parents who don't support each other and want to be their child's buddy instead of being the parent. Specifically about what happens when a Father undermines the Mother's discipline and authority. This is definitely a soap box issue for me. But I won't take the box out tonight.

My Dad, born in 1926 and raised in the Depression, was much stricter than most of my friend's parents. Having said that, Daddy was usually laid back and spoiled my sister and I terribly, except for when we sassed my Mom. Dad did not ever allow us to disrespect/disobey Mother or talk badly about her. He never talked badly about her either.

Jason is very good about this too. He makes sure Ross minds me and doesn't let Ross sass me, not that Ross does sass anyone very often. I really appreciate Jason's love and support. I have always known he is a great dad and husband, but never so much so as tonight.

Tonight at Family Home Evening Owen learned how to crawl up on the coffee table. This was not the scheduled lesson, but apparently he was going for extra credit. I pulled Owen down several times, scolded him and spanked him gently but firmly. Owen would cry very pitifully of course and then immediately do it again. Jason and Ross got to laughing at my attempts to stop Owen. Finally I appealed to Jason to get involved. Jason pulled Owen down and scolded him too. Ross kept on laughing. Jason sent Ross to his room because Ross was undermining Jason's effort to discipline Owen. I then pointed out to Jason that he started laughing first and did the same thing to me.

Much to my surprise, instead of letting Ross out of his room, Jason joined him in time out. A few minutes later, I let both my repentant boys off the hook and out of Ross' room. What a powerful lesson Jason taught Ross tonight, what a wonderful example he is to our sons.

I feel sorry for the woman in Dr Rosemond's column. I am very grateful for my parents and the way they raised me. I am very grateful for Jason's parents who did such a good job with him. And, I am very grateful to have Jason as my husband and partner. I know Jason loves me and our sons more than himself. How blessed am I!