Let dogs delight to bark and bite

I am a reluctant homeschooling mom.  There, I said it.  

I homeschool my kids in spite of my serious limitations and lack of the requisite patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, etc.  (at least all my friends who don't homeschool assume I must have ample amounts of these virtues to do the deed; I argue that homeschooling might just be my refining fire in these areas).  

However, today I was able to practice those beautiful fruit qualities.  My weekend of yoga stayed with me and I was oh-so-serene on the inside.  Apparently, the daughters didn't get the memo that we were all zen and namaste.  

"She was sniffling, and it annoyed me," says the teen.  "Well, she lassoed my lego building with her rubbery eraser," declares the ten-ager.   Are you kidding me?  And then the clincher..."but then, Mommy, she (finger pointed, glaring eyes) shoved me."  Well, that's it.  I had to get ruthless.  I mean, really.  Girls don't shove.  They left me with no choice.  Cell phone for the teenager--buh-bye.  Ipad for the ten-ager--ixnay.  

Actually, it felt kind of lovely to discipline succinctly and without raised voice (a rare occasion, indeed).  

I must remember to feed the one who is currently living in her room!  (just kidding...no kids were harmed in the writing of this blog).  

P.S.  Additional punishments include copying and memorizing the poem below.  That, my friends, is the beauty of homeschooling.  

Let Dogs Delight to Bark and Bite
by Sir Isaac Watts

Let dogs delight to bark and bite,
          

For God hath made them so;
        

Let bears and lions growl and fight,
          

For 'tis their nature too.

        

But, children, you should never let
          

Such angry passions rise;
        

Your little hands were never made
          

To tear each other's eyes.