Tough Love Tuesdays...

Manic Mondays... Wanna be Wednesdays... Thirsty Thursdays... Fantastically Fun Fridays... Super Hero Saturdays... Saintly Sundays...

What I need is a theme for Tuesdays. A theme that would make it acceptable to discipline without hurting feelings. A theme where one could safely say that someones performance was not acceptable. One would need to use realistic praise and not worry about using liberal terms that would spare the feelings of the recipient.. There should be a day where one could utilize the 4 levels of conflict, intimidation and influence with a positive and productive spin. The positive application of building character through truth. One should not be overly aggressive and should not have to sugar coat their choice of words. Words should be in the Dictionary and be readily defined. The ability to have the participants to 'play' along is a must. So I made the phrase 'Tough Love Tuesdays'.

It's ok to be scared! It's ok to cry! It's not ok to give up! Developing a sense of Perseverance can be a tricky thing. I mean, how can you build someone up without scaring them away? If someone is doing something that they can never get right, then what's the use? When we were disciplined by caring adults we often didn't appreciate or like it. Our rebellious nature often came calling. Of course, you and I know both know that hindsight is 20/20. Perhaps it was my behavior that led to my demise. Children, with a few exceptions, will find any excuse not to do something if it ceases to be fun. Have a child participate and understand the lesson, he/she is more likely to stick around for the long run. If you know the rules of the game and no one cheats, then the game is fun!

What if Tough Love Tuesday was a national standard? Applied at work and/or at home.. The rules of the day would be 'Just do everything by the book!' Do your best and make right choices! Be accountable for your actions Today! No excuses! Hmmm. And what if this created a habit? The phrase 'Integrity is a choice, choose what is right over what is popular.' could be the mantra of Tough Love Tuesdays.. The problem lies in the definition of right choices... Hmmm.. Even treating other people the way you want to be treated is opened for scrutiny and bias. Random acts of kindness seems to fit here.. If the act is not in kindness and the act is not abiding by the rules of the house, then Tuesday is the day that you would have to walk on eggshells. Wow a day that you have to follow the rules AND be kind...

When I was growing up we had tough love any day of the week. It really depended on the mood of my mom. She was the Queen! She had eyes in the back of her head! Webcams every where. She didn't miss a beat! She would ask to see our tongues when she thought that we were up to no good. She was looking for a black line. This line was a tell all. It gave us up. Like a lie detector. Whether or not this line was true, she always found something in our behavior. She referred to our choices as natural consequences and rewards and we always got busted. She had the look, the voice and the reminders down pat. If we made a mistake, then it was best to make it right. Own up to it and see to it that it did not happen again. Accountability and responsibility. Hmmm. No ifs, ands or buts. Eventually we stopped making excuses. Eventually we understood the black line. Eventually we grew up. My mom eventually became happier and more relaxed. I am now convinced that she eventually become clinically insane. :-) I truly appreciate her Tough Love.

So, get those petitions started. Send them to me. Let's write our congressmen. Tough Love Tuesdays should be the rule and not the exception!!! After all, if pathetic and poor are in the dictionary, so is outstanding and excellent!