They Really DO Like Each Other, I Promise...

I know my kids all love each other, but it can be tough being a big sister to 3 mischievous boys. My daughter handles it pretty well, and can dish it out too. Tonight at the dinner table there was teasing back and forth, but it wasn't really that uplifting to each other. I stopped them and asked them to say something to each other that would build each other up, instead of tear down. My daughter immediately batted her big brown's at her 9 year old brother and coyly said, " I love your baby blue eyes!" He snorted and started on a cheeky comeback until I held up my hand to halt that. He thought for a minute and complimented her with "You're weird", and then waited for my eyes to bulge til he added with a flick of his wrist, "... in a good way." I allowed that, mainly cause we all started to giggle. Then it was the newly minted 6 year old's turn. He put his chin in his hand and thought hard, "You're dumb...in a good way". "NO", was my firm response, no longer smiling, along with a small aside to his older brother: "see, do you see how he watches you, and copies you????". "Try again." "Ok", he said, chin back in thinker pose. "You have a nice smile..kind of." This was delivered with a sparkle in his eye and a big mischievous grin. Here is where I took a deep breath and moved on, seeing as how my daughter seemed content with that compliment (?). Little M saved the day, with an exuberant "How 'bout yer BEEEUUUtiful!" That got him a big hug and smooch from his sis and praises from his relieved mommy. Lots of work to do here, but there is hope... Hubby wasn't at the table with us at that point, seeing as his spasmy disc had driven him to the couch, but I will have to remind him to really butter me up with compliments in front of our little men in order to be a good example. It is not for me, it is solely for the purpose of child training... heh heh.