In the last several weeks, I have read the Fifty Shades of Gray and Hunger Games series, as well as several parenting books. Fifty Shades requires its own 24/7 dedicated post, but what I am more interested today is Mean Moms Rule, by Denise Schipani.

I am a Mean Mom…I did not know what to call it or how to handle it until I read this book, however.

I say “no” a lot. But in my defense, my children make absurd requests. “Can you buy me 15 Bey Blades?”. “May I have these cupcakes for breakfast?”. “Can we watch “Family Guy”?”. What?!?!?

This was just this morning. I wish I was joking.

My partner has called me a “yeller” in the past. I cannot say I disagree with his diagnosis, but I truly believe it was because my “no” did not mean “no”, and my sons knew it.

In reading this book though, my “no” has become more firm, and less hostile. Saying “no” has always been one of the most loving things I have said to my children in my mind, but my weakness was in how and why I said it.

So, while they still ask me for crazy things, I do not carry “mommy guilt” for turning them down.

From mom to mom, take a few hours to read (or listen) to her book. With a generation of entitled children in our midst, I resolve to teach my children love through limits. To appreciate the benefits of delayed gratification. To work toward a goal. Love is in the “no-ing”.

And, while you’re at it, read Chapter 8 in Book 1 of “Fifty Shades”…not for the lesson or bounty of literary grace, but just for the “flush” 🙂 of it.