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     How many times do your kids play "tug of war" with toys, remote controls, Xbox controllers...the shower?  Its a new school year, we are still adjusting but lets face it, my kids are a bit older and should know better.  But they don't.  It is a never ending cycle of parenting maneuvers in my household.

     The shower was the issue at stake this morning. Although it would have never been a problem if the eighteen year old had rolled out of bed on time.  But alas, the eleven year old beat him to the nozzle.  Suffice it to say there was enough yelling and banging on doors to make any TV reality show look tame.

     Mom, aka: the referee charges the bathroom with the determination to resolve this problem quickly and rationally.  "Its time you guys learn to share!", "you're lucky the five of us are not sharing one bathroom", "your old enough to take turns nicely!".  None of it worked, there was no reasoning to be had.  I resorted to the old tired and true, "stop it or your both grounded!".  Not very original, I know, but when the clock is ticking and the bus is arriving you don't have time for creative parenting.

     The point to my story is character education never ends, no matter how old your kids are and will be.  Parents of older children heed my warning and never let up on teaching your children kindness.  As for the next time, the eleven year old, with the later schedule understands he must have his breakfast first,  then shower.  A compromise made in the spirit of sharing.

     For more lessons on sharing and caring visit our dear family friend, Barf.  His website can be found at:   www.barfsbooks.com.  Other sites for character education books can be located at www.desertskyone.com