Isn't it a constant, daily struggle on how strict to be with your children? I wonder every single day if I'm helping or hurting my girls with the rules I enforce, as well as the rules I'm more lax on. My parents were really great and I feel like they were right in the middle, leaning a bit more on the strict side than lax. I appreciate it now, even though I might not have so much in my teenage years, and I definitely want to have the same relationship with my girls when they get older.
Just because I feel like I'm strict doesn't mean my children are missing out on a super, awesome fun Mom, though. I want to be my girl's friend – but their Mom first. Simply meaning – I'll listen when they have problems and sometimes just listen, no opinions {easier to say now that they're only 2 rather than 16, right?}, but I'll always be the authority figure and won't condone actions I don't agree with.
I suppose it's easy now – to rule the house a little more strongly. I can pretty much control the amount of dessert Sophia gets if she doesn't eat all her veggies, amount of TV/iPad time, and nap and bed times. But what about when they get older? That's why this style of parenting is so important to me.
Actually, Rob and I were having this conversation just today in the car. I told him that I vividly remember one of my first days as a college student. I went grocery shopping and bought a box of Fudge Rounds. I remember sitting in my room thinking "I could eat this entire box of Fudge Rounds if I want to." It was so silly – but it was true. Guess what? I didn't eat them. I had the idea of eating good foods and using those sweet, sugary treats as just that – a treat. I want to raise my girls with this self discipline {and maybe even a bit better}!
Would you believe that this blog topic was inspired by toilet paper? It was! Charmin has launched a campaign to vote for your favorite Charmin: Ultra Soft or Ultra Strong. What's more important to you and your family? It's a fun and friendly debate – Soft or Strong? Over the Top or Along the Wall? How do you run YOUR family!? My family is run on a nice balance of Strong and Soft, but we definitely prefer the Ultra Strong when it comes to TP!
Charmin asks fans to join them on Facebook to cast their ballots for Ultra Soft and Ultra Strong, join the TP debate and share stories on how they “enjoy the go.” Whether you’re a fan of Charmin’s comfort and softness or strength and durability, you can’t go wrong. Fans are encouraged to participate in regular debate questions on Facebook, sharing how they “enjoy the go.” As a Facebook fan, you will also have the opportunity to win weekly prizes, including a year’s supply of Charmin.
“I was compensated for this blog post as part of the SocialMoms and Charmin blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. For more blog posts on this
topic, click here.”
43 Days Left 
8 Days Left 
Contest Closed 
I question myself a lot. Some of the things I am very strict on are often the things most parents aren’t, and vice versa. I refuse to let my children play in the front yard alone, even though my oldest is 9, but my neighbor allows even her 3 year old to play outside alone, even in the dark! We all have to make the best decisions for our families!
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You’re not alone wondering if you’re being too strict – it’s so important to set boundaries and rules early – even if it seems like you’re being too strict. Otherwise, you could face some major behavioral problems later – we’re learning that first-hand with Little Dude… We just finalized the adoption (yay!) but for the first 3-1/2 years of his life he had no structure, no discipline, no schedule – he pretty much was the one who ran the show. It’s been an uphill battle this past year since he arrived, definitely a learning experience not only for him but for us as well.
The one thing we’ve always made sure of is that we’re consistent and follow through – I think that’s one thing his bio-mom and former foster moms never did, the ‘follow through’ part. He’s learning that we do mean what we say! 
Thankfully he’s adapting – as long as I can keep my sanity with the process being one step forward and two steps back, we’ll be good. 
Stacy Uncorked recently posted…Yummy Betty Crocker Shake-N-Pour Dessert Mixes – Review & Giveaway (ends 9/17)