‘It will be great fun!!!’ I added against my better judgment.
But sure enough, the kids started a revolt, saying they didn’t want to go.
‘If you’re not coming, you’ll have to come to church with me!’ I heard myself threaten.
Immediately the kids fell silent. And sullenly they went to put on their shoes and jackets. I was pleasantly surprised that my empty threat proved to be so effective!
So all Christmas long, whenever the kids were not playing nice I said: ‘Do you wanna go to church?! Do you?!’ And then they cowered and whispered with tears in their eyes: ‘Noooo mommy, we’ll be good!’
I’m not sure what’s worse. A mom keeping her kids in line with threats of going to church, or the fact that the promise threat of going to church is so effective…