This is another trick question for us. We actually both handle the discipline and we try, but aren't always, to be on the same page. I probably need to step up and be more of a leader in this. It's not that I make my wife do all of the discipline or anything like that. We really do share the responsibility, but I need to take that responsibility off of my wife's shoulders and step up to the plate as the father of the family. 

 

With Joshua and Jacob's problems, we do have a unique situation. Discipline that should work with normal kids, doesn't always work with kids that have asperger's or sensory issues. Sometimes they act out because there is no other way for them to communicate their frustrations. They don't understand the proper way to handle their emotions. We need to train them in the proper way but that is a long hard road. In the meantime, we can't actually punish them for something they don't understand they are doing wrong. 

 

On the other hand, John Allen sees them getting away with stuff that he would never have gotten away with and it upsets him. He doesn't understand that he knows that those particular things are not appropriate, but his brothers don't. 

 

As you can see, it is a very difficult situation and a situation where we would covet your prayers. We have come to realize also that perhaps we need to be retrained and not our children. We are presently getting some help in this area. Help that I will explain in a later post (my lips are sealed). Don't get excited. Super Nanny is not making a visit to the Tinkel household.

 

One discipline suggestion that I will keep, but one that I often find hard to follow, is to never discipline when angry. I tend to do that far too often, and then I catch myself, unfortunately sometimes too late.

 

Ah, well! As I said before, we would really covet your prayers in this area. 

 

Thanks for stopping by this week! For our next Men's Monday Meme, I am going to begin a new once or twice (I haven't decided) a month special question called a "Hot Topic" question. Tune in later tonight to see what it's all about!