Disrespect, Disobedience, and 'Dis Is How It Works

Remember when we had a shifting of priorities in our house? Well, it's happening again. I understand that we, as human beings, are slow to learn. We are remarkably advanced in our civilization, but our ability to learn innate lessons of human interaction are indeed lagging behind our counterparts, the chimps.

A couple of basic rules in our house:
1. We walk, not run, indoors.
2. We don't roughhouse in the living room.
3. We obey Mom.

Those are just a few. I mean, it's not like we have a TON, but these are some that take a high priority for me.
The past few mornings, while getting ready for school, there has been a LOT of running, yelling, fighting, roughhousing, and all-around civil disobedience in our house. I have done what I consider to be fair in requesting appropriate behavior. Imagine my confusion at the non-compliance!
I may possibly have lost my temper with the boys this morning over this very issue. While I was in the middle of scolding them, they laughed at me. Oh yes. This is not a joke. Open mockery.

What a bummer!

I don't dig on disrespect. Therefore, consequences follow. All the nice things I enjoy doing for children who are respectful and obedient? DONE! No more! I am legally obligated to provide food, shelter, clothing and an education for my children. Here's how I will accomplish those basic requirements:
1. FOOD: The boys' independent culinary repertoire includes quesadillas, cereal, PBJ or ramen. I will ensure we have those items in the house, available to the boys for all meals of the day.
2. SHELTER: I will let them continue to live in our home.
3. CLOTHING: They have clothes. Whether they get clean or not is up to them.
4. EDUCATION: Since I don't homsechool, public school is their only other option. I happen to drive to their school every day, since it's where I work. Sadly, rides in my car are no longer an option. I did, however, remind them of the safe walking routes as well as the bus schedule.

Because I love my children dearly, I will also continue to provide them with affection. While that is not my legal obligation, I do enjoy that aspect of parenthood. And because I love them, I am also happy to provide them with this opportunity to realize how much I do for them on a daily basis, and why it is important to be respectful and obedient.

So contrary to what they may perceive, they are indeed a step above this:

...and one day, they will thank me for it.