Throw Pillows

“Stop jumping on the throw pillows!” I turn and yell from the kitchen, hands pruny and sudsy from doing dishes, splattering drops of water on the floor. The two children in the living room ignore me, quickly piling pillows in a beige and orange and turquoise tower between the couch and coffee table. The youngest crouches on his toes. He is a coiled ball of four-year-old boy-limbs, quivering with energy. He leaps, and his gleeful hollers reverberate in my head as he becomes a panther and pounces onto the pile. I cringe, watching as he topples the mountain of pillows.

“My turn!” shouts the six-year-old, long brown hair falling in her face as she scoops the pile back together. The younger scrambles out of her way, and I scowl as she takes her turn.

“What have I told you about jumping on the pillows?” I shout with teeth clenched.

“But, it’s fun!” They grin at me with wide, hopeful smiles, hair askew, and cheeks pink from exertion.

“No!” I wipe my still dripping hands with a towel and march over to yank the back door open. “If you want to be crazy, go outside,” I command. Smiles fading, the children trudge out the back door.

Read the rest over at Kindred Mom as we share ways to have peace in our homes this season.