The word humdudgeon is a new one to me and I like the sound of it. It means "a loud complaint about a trifle." Heard any of those lately around your house? One mother thought of an excellent antidote: all humdudgeons must be presented not orally but in writing, "of two hundred words or more." There was a sudden marked reduction in whining and complaining.
Parents, by example, teach their children to whine. No wonder it is so difficult to teach them not to! Listen to conversations in the elevator, at the hairdresser's, at the next table in the restaurant. Everybody's whining about everything--weather, health, the president, the IRS, the insurance mess, traffic, the kids.
Oooooo ... that would be me .... I am sure that I am a great role model of how to complain !!! I thought about this devotional when Little Buttercup began complaining about school. I told her that she may not complain with her mouth and that if she felt the need to complain, she must write it down using at least 29 words. You know what she did? She wrote "poowee" 20 times ... it just made me laugh ...
So ... I've made a commitment ... NO MORE complaining out loud with my mouth to anyone. If I feel the need to complain then I will just take it to the Lord. I've no idea how well I will do at keeping this commitment, but I'm going to try ....
Now I know what to do when I'm tempted to complain (which is like always!). I'm going to write poowee 20 times. Tell your little darling thanks for the inspiration.
What a great post. I just came across your sight and I will be back. I don't have a blog of my own, but my husband does(heavenlyheartburn.wordpress.com). We are homeschooling parents as well and are enjoying finding those who have a burden for their children also.
But the seed on good soil stands for those with an honest and good heart. They hear the message. They keep it in their hearts. They remain faithful and produce a good crop.
The Dirt On Me
I am a husband loving, child adoring, homeschooling, grace-based parenting, nature loving, organic gardening, flip flop wearing, wheat grinding, bread baking, art enjoying, music loving, free thinking, God worshipping, prayer believing, status quo challenging, whole-food eating, home loving, always questioning, truth seeking, Jesus loving, blessing claiming, over analyzing, continually growing, Scripture studying, overcoming, ever wondering Daughter of the King, wife to one wonderful & wacky husband, and mommy to 2 lovely & lively princesses (and a crazy beagle too!)
• Little Buttercup = Our oldest Daughter (6 Years old)
• Baby Buttercup = Our youngest daughter (10 Months old)
• Buttercup = ME
• Farm Boy = My Dear Husband
• If you don't understand the names "Buttercup" and "Farm Boy" then you simply MUST see The Princess Bride ... our favorite movie!
!!! I thought about this devotional when Little Buttercup began complaining about school. I told her that she may not complain with her mouth and that if she felt the need to complain, she must write it down using at least 29 words. You know what she did? She wrote "poowee" 20 times 
... it just made me laugh ... 
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10.15.2006 - So cute!