So the thread on 'drinking pop' and 'which one are you' reminded me of something. If any of you watch "The new adventures of old Christine" on CBS, Christine was complaining that her exhusbands house was always the FUN house and she was always the meanie making her DS do homework, eat healthy, etc. Her ex-husband told her "DS calls my house the fun house but do you know what he calls your house? (. . . dramatic pause . . .) He calls your house HOME."

That really touched a nerve with me (a good one!). Yes my DS has more FUN with his dad and yes they go to McDonald's way more than I would like but when DS thinks of HOME - it's MY house that comes to mind.

This was illustrated so perfectly the other day. My 9 yr old got a new appointment book for 2007 to carry in his backpack and was transferring his 'address book' to the back of it. In the first blank he wrote HOME and put my address and phone. It just touched my heart.

It's OKAY for me to be the meanie - to demand healthy eating, responsibility, homework and chores - because I AM home to him. :love:

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Better to give your kids the values you have
than the valuables you can't afford.

Wow!! I have never thought about it that way. I think I would much rather be HOME. I don't think I will ever think the same way again. I get so caught up in thinking I am the "meanie" and their Dad gets to be the fun one. I get to the point sometimes when I think they would rather be over there more because of it being the "fun" house. But you know what?? I think at the end of the day they do appreciate being HOME better. Thank you for that eye opener.

On a side note, I think I will check out that show!!

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Stacey

“The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man." ~ Euripides

Lou,

I could have written your post word for word...except for the address book in the backpack part. LOL

Seriously, my kids call our house home.. it's "our house" not "your house" anymore. I think my ex has told them that they live in both houses...at first, they would say "your house".

I know my ex lets them get away with alot there, and no chores and anything like that. He seems to spend money left and right on them, yet can' seem to make sure his bills are paid. It seems like every time they come home, they have something new.. which irritates me, but they do think of my home as home, not just a house.
I am glad for that.