Cringe Test

February 14, 2010 by Rieshy

Every once in a while I find it useful, if sometimes painful, to do a little testing on my family. I'll stand out of sight and call a child's name and watch for their reaction. Do they look up with an open expression and try to find out why I'm calling, or do they sink down and sigh before answering? Worst of all, do they sink down and feign deafness while pretending to be in Morocco?

Sad to say, I have a nag/fuss tendency. It seems related to how well I'm doing at being organized and self-disciplined. When I'm in a over-all good routine, it means that chores and other responsibilities are being accomplished, and my children know what is expected of them and when. It means they know when they have time for themselves. It means that I have the time and energy to keep up a spirit of fellowship and camaraderie with my children. Most of all it means that if I call someone- the underlying assumption is that my call might be a pleasant and welcome interruption.

When I'm in a nag/fuss cycle the assumption is that having one's name called means an interruption of one's current enjoyment for an unspecified period of hassle. I'm pretty sure the thought process is something along the lines of, "Ughh, she's calling my name; I must evade capture."

I can always tell with my Cringe Test how well I'm doing in the family-fellowship department. When I fail the test, meaning my children cringe when called, it's time to remember to organize myself, lay off the family. Pray, prioritize. I need to pull out a deck of cards and play some games, lighten-up and enjoy my children.

Is it ethical to perform psychological testing on subjects without signed consent forms? Bah, motherhood is all about stealth, everything, from green veggies snuck into spaghetti sauce to stealth Cringe Testing.



This was part of Homemaker's Monday.
Also check out this new meme I just found called Making Your Home Sing Monday.






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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that!

SOmetimes it seems like all that comes out of my mouth is directions/to-do's and I forget to just do happy talk and also to give praise.

"THank you for listening. Thank you for cleaning your room. Good job on your spelling."

You know.

Anyway, thank you Susan. SOmetimes I forget.

Also, I keep forgetting if I told you that I liked you new header. I think it every time i come here and then I can't remember if I had already said something!! I am lucky I can remember my name somedays.

Rieshy said...

That's o.k. I can't remember if you mentioned it either:) Thanks for the header compliment- my 17 yo did both my new headers for me.

Unfortunately I'm definitely failing the cringe test right now- too many weeks of school without a break...

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

My son told me the other day that I always come home from work in a bad mood.

momstheword said...

Love this! I think there's a lot of truth to it. When we are building up their "bank accounts" with deposits then they shouldn't mind if we make a withdrawal every once in awhile, right?

My oldest went through a time of "selective" hearing that drove me nuts. He could hear me open the fridge from six blocks away but couldn't hear me calling his name from six inches away.

Glad to have you and thank you for linking up today!

~ Nan

Mindy said...

Thank you for the encouraging comment left on my blog. I so appreciate your time!

I LOVE your Cringe Test. You are so right, I have noticed this, but never defined it. You nailed it, very discerning. I probably should read this every day. I was a little too cringy this morning. :)

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

LOL! Had to laugh. Love the post! Thanks for coming by and commenting!

Anonymous said...

Great post!! I need to try this Cringe Test!

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