Time. Dicipline. Care. Actions. Ipad

I took the Ipad to my office. Jasmin was sitting in front of the bathroom wrapped in towel with Ipad on the side watching her favourite cooking videos (I think its clips from Japan showing miniature cooking 'toys' using stuffs that look like real food). It was 7.40am.

My goal this year is to reach my office earlier if not on the dot 8.30am. Usually we should leave by 7.45am. I tried not to shout and assisted her to get dressed. Though I did say that she had to skip breakfast as we were behind time. Instead, she could drink Milo or eat a slice of bread in the car on the way to her school.

She didn't resist when I took her by her hands to go downstairs. She also took books as if she wanted to go to school. But she was doing it too slowly so I asked her to hurry up (politely stressing that we are late and I tried not to shout). I left her while she was packing and saw her sitting quitely when I came back. Now she was being difficult and I could not tolerate that since we definitely were late. I didn't say anything, so many things in my head and could not think how should I deal with the situation. Finally, I asked her whether she wants to go to school because her behaviour showed otherwise. I decided at that point that I need to teach/educate my kids about timeliness. At that point I thought it was time to sanction the Ipad and teach them some serious stuff. So I just left Jasmin without a word, took the Ipad on the table and left.

So many thoughts in my head when I drove to work. Whether what I did was wrong and wonder why I am being so sensitive about time. My respect for Japanese people on punctuality and surah Al Asr may be the cause apart from the drill from my parents since I was at school.

Back to Jasmin, was I being too strict? What should I have done? Some people can do some slow talk but I was late, I didn't have the time! If the clock showed 7.30 or 7.35, I might followed her pace...

Why did I take the Ipad? I just had to. Sometimes the kids just won't budge when Ipad is in their hands. Homework, solat, chores.... They even fight with each other. Did I want to teach them a lesson? Or did I just want to get to Jasmin?

Do I think what I did was right? I don't know.....

Can by taking the Ipad away change into a positive environment that I want? Personally I think 'yes' but I need to think creatively how to turn 'Ipad confiscated' into 'Mama see, I'm ready for school now. Can I have the Ipad back?

What message do I want to convey to the kids with regard to my action?

What might happen now that I have confiscated the Ipad?

• Nothing changed if I don't explain to my kids why I took the Ipad. They don't get it why I took it
• They are closer to their father than me because I do all these diciplinary stuff seriously instead of doing the slow talk.

What is my next step to teach them a lesson in abiding by the rules/time?

I have this feeling that my husband is also not satisfied with me about spending time with the kids. I appeared not caring for the children enough. Last night I went to HOM.

The new way of thinking that I have adopted now are:

1. These are my kids. If they don't do OK, it is because I don't teach them how to be OK. They are the product of my behaviour at home.
2. I'm taking responsibilities. I don't want to be blame for not spending enough time with the kids.
3. This is my way of dicipline. Advise me if I should do otherwise.

I will teach them a lesson. Ask them to do a timetable if they want the Ipad back.