Have you ever had this problem? Have you ever had a sink that went … drip…drip…drip… So, you got the wrench and you tightened everything you could see to tighten on that sink. But…drip…drip…drip…
Arrgghhh! A dripping faucet is so annoying ~ right? How many of you have nagged your husband to PLEASE fix that sink? That constant drip is driving you crazy…
Our Wednesday Wisdom is from Proverbs 27:
“A constant dripping on a day of steady rain and a contentious woman are alike; He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand.” ~Proverbs 27:15-16
Proverbs 13:13 says that the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. Ouch! Proverbs 25:24 says that it is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house with a contentious woman (also repeated in Proverbs 21:9). But wait, there’s more.
Proverbs 21:19 warns our husbands and children that it would be “better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and vexing woman!”
Contentious is defined as “quarrelsome.” So, you might be reading this and thinking, “well, I’m not contentious. I’m just the one who has to get things done around this house.”
For me, often when I am trying to get Ethan ready for school, or lunch packed, or things done around the house, the tone of my voice changes. Some might even call the tone I use “quarrelsome” if things aren’t moving fast enough to suit me. I hate to admit it, but sadly it’s still true.
At the request of my amazing husband (who is tired of the constant dripping!), we are trying to use a “no poking or prodding” parenting style. Here’s how it works: when I tell Ethan to get ready for school, I only say it once. If he is not ready, with all of the little things that go along with “get ready for school” at 8:00am, then he gets consequences.
I am trying not to say, “Ethan, it’s time to get ready for school.” And then about 2 minutes later reminding him to clear his breakfast dishes. And then about 4 minutes later reminding him to make his bed. And then about 3 minutes later warning him that it’s almost 8am. And then about 2 minutes later asking him if he brushed his teeth. DRIP, DRIP, DRIP!!
It’s excruciating! Who’s with me? Who is tired of sounding like a dripping faucet?
The same, probably more so, goes for our husbands. Our continuous requests, our repeated demands, are like dripping water to him. He would be happier living on the roof or out in the desert!
I am in the process of making my house a “no poking, no prodding” home where peace, joy, and laughter fill the space. Not drip…drip…drip…
A household without a dripping faucet is within our control ladies. It is up to us to stop the constant dripping in our homes. We can do it with the help of the Holy Spirit.
3 Ideas to Stop the Dripping in Your Home:
- Pray about it. My mind races a mile a minute and then all of those thoughts come dripping out of my mouth! I am trying to say less of my “to do” list out loud to those around me. In the morning, I pray about keeping my mouth shut more about the little things.
- For your children, make a list of the things they need to complete during those times of “constant dripping” in your home. For us, it’s getting ready for school and bedtime routines. Since Ethan is 8 years old, he is perfectly capable of knowing the 4-5 things he must do in order to get ready for school or get ready for bed. I really don’t need to remind him. My “reminding” him is really just my way of trying to get him to move more quickly! Once the list is complete and your children know what is expected of them, then set consequences for missing the expectations (and stick to it…only takes 1-2 times and they won’t blow it again!)
- Set aside time with your husband to talk about the upcoming week. We try to hold “Saturday morning meetings” over a cup of coffee. We don’t get it done every Saturday, but we try to sit down together often and talk about what’s going on. It keeps us all on the same page and needs/requests are communicated.
What are the “constant dripping” moments in your home?
How can we avoid sounding like a dripping faucet?
I really appreciate this post. I’m going to apply this to my toddler as well. I think It will really help him to understand consequences better. Thanks Kim.
Let me know how it goes! And share your ideas, too. ( :