During her phone interview with Melissa Caddell (Moms of Preschoolers), Michelle Duggar shared from her heart about the trials and tribulations of motherhood.
Melissa: How do you foster an attitude of “with us” not “against us” between your children?
Michelle: From the time they are very young, I appeal to their conscience. I really try and put them in their sibling’s shoes when they are selfish, do something not nice or try to get someone in trouble. They learn to treat each other the way they want to be treated.
Melissa: How do you take care of yourself?
Michelle: What I really need to re-fuel is alone time with the Lord — though it’s usually not alone as I’m often pregnant or nursing a baby! But I get my second wind late at night, after the kids are in bed. I have some time with my husband and then I read my Bible, devotion or listen to a message.
I love my time in the evenings — no children who need me, no phone
calls, no one knocking on the door. I try to get to bed around midnight so I can get up
most mornings to exercise before 6 on an elliptical machine. I also text
with a friend early in the morning to encourage and pray for each
other. It‘s a great time for me.
Melissa: How do you foster an attitude of “with us” not “against us” between your children?Michelle: From the time they are very young, I appeal to their conscience. I really try and put them in their sibling’s shoes when they are selfish, do something not nice or try to get someone in trouble. They learn to treat each other the way they want to be treated.
Melissa: How did you learn to speak softly to your children, even when you’re angry?
Michelle: (Laughs) I haven’t mastered this one yet. Just the other day, several of my boys made a mess in the living room. It was just normal kid stuff, but I got angry and overreacted to the mess.
Michelle: (Laughs) I haven’t mastered this one yet. Just the other day, several of my boys made a mess in the living room. It was just normal kid stuff, but I got angry and overreacted to the mess.
But I feel that by God’s grace, he is giving me some
success over yelling. There are times I have
to whisper to myself, “I’m not going to lose it. I am going to stay
calm.”
Melissa: Do your kids see you struggle?
Michelle: When my boys made the mess in the living room, I didn’t have the right
response. All I could see was a big mess on the carpet, and someone
needed to clean it up! I was barking this at my boys as they stood
there. My 7-year-old didn’t obey me quickly so I sent him to my room to
talk to him. He was near tears as he struggled to talk to me. But what
he was trying to tell me was that I was getting angry.
Michelle: When my boys made the mess in the living room, I didn’t have the right
response. All I could see was a big mess on the carpet, and someone
needed to clean it up! I was barking this at my boys as they stood
there. My 7-year-old didn’t obey me quickly so I sent him to my room to
talk to him. He was near tears as he struggled to talk to me. But what
he was trying to tell me was that I was getting angry. 
Melissa: How do you take care of yourself? Michelle: What I really need to re-fuel is alone time with the Lord — though it’s usually not alone as I’m often pregnant or nursing a baby! But I get my second wind late at night, after the kids are in bed. I have some time with my husband and then I read my Bible, devotion or listen to a message.
I love my time in the evenings — no children who need me, no phone
calls, no one knocking on the door. I try to get to bed around midnight so I can get up
most mornings to exercise before 6 on an elliptical machine. I also text
with a friend early in the morning to encourage and pray for each
other. It‘s a great time for me.
That was only a snippet of Michelle's chat with Melissa Caddell.
To bed @ midnight and up before 6--wow, that's really incredible! :-0 And what's an elliptical machine?
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the interview!
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
An elliptical is a type of exercise machine. It has pedals like a bike, but you stand upright like you would on a treadmill.
~Lily and Ellie
thank for sharing that great interview girls!
ReplyDeleteguess some people dont require a lot of sleep. i only get that amount of sleep. this women has no time to sleep. lucky she keeps her kids with her until they marry. wonder what would happen if she did not have the older girl there to help out.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Michelle what inspiration... I am the mom to nine children six boys and three girls. When I go places people will always compare me to you.... Lol! I know you hear that all the time. What a wonderful interview. Thanks for your inspiration! God Bless! Dawn Gallop
ReplyDeleteWill def take the advice I read.I have used some of Michelle advice and I must say it has really worked.. one day I was out with my child and hubby and my child said something to hurt my hubbys feelings and instead of yelling and telling him not to saywhat he should I explained to him in a tone soft voice that it hurts daddy's feelings what was said. And how he needs to say he is sorry to daddy.I had No idea the sales clerk was watching me and she pulled me to the counter and said u handled that well u seem like a great mom my hubby didn't tell me to correct my son I did it because I prayed shortly on what to do.my hubby was so impressed with me. I didn't do it for show or because folks were watching I actually didn't see the clerk as she was watching me.so Michelle advice RSally does work and when it happens with another child of yours u can do it again without loosing your temper. People always look at u when your child is acting up and the parents are yelling and now taking Michelle advice it's nice when they give compliments also.and now I really find that speaking calmly ur child will listen more than just yelling and loosing your temper that doesn't get u anywhere and u find yourself getting more angry for nothing...great advice!!!!thanks Michelle duggar
ReplyDeleteI still watch the duggars but I was also dissapointed that the camera men could see the private area
ReplyDeleteI have 5 children and one on the way. I try to use a calm tone but I fall short here and there.Happy to hear encouragement on the subject!Always looking for new ways to improve.
ReplyDeleteshe makes it all sound so easy.
ReplyDelete