Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A realization


Yesterday was one of those days.
Not a great one, not a bad one.
Just one of those days where my 16 month old was screaming at me
And I couldn't help but think, "When did he get old enough to do this and who is this?"
There's just days like that as a mom.

He wants to talk so badly.
He jabbers and jabbers.
Sometimes I can understand what he is saying or what he wants.
Yesterday I knew he was mad when he screamed at me.
"Mom, how dare you take that crayon away from me!"
"How dare you wipe my face off!"
"How dare you pick me up when I won't follow you!"
I get it...he wants to do his own thing and he can, but he also needs to listen.

I had a realization yesterday...


The first one was that I need to parent better.
Honestly, most of the time I have no clue what I'm doing.
How do I get him to not throw food off his tray,
How do I get him to stop screaming at me and listen. 
I don't know, but I do know one thing....
What I was doing, wasn't working.
I want to be a loving, kind, grace-filled parent and I can be, 
But that doesn't mean I have to let him get away with things. 
I've been afraid to be stronger in my parenting...
to tell him "no" in a firmer voice, 
to stop him from doing something that is harmless (like pushing the tv button off and on), but annoying. And I can't be that way... I have to discipline...I have to tell him no or its going to be a rough ride.

My second realization was that there are just going to be days like that.
Probably a lot of them.
Days where he just isn't going to listen.
Days where I have no clue what I'm doing and am not the parent I want to be.
That's okay...that's life.
I just have to pray through it and keep on swimming, keep on going.
That's life sometimes.

8 comments:

  1. Parenting seems hard! Keep it up, Kass, and keep turing to Christ, he's got your back :) You are doing great! I will bring you that book tonight! And info on the class too in case you and James might be interested! Love you lots!

    Also.... the keep swimming poster you put on here is something I needed to read today! Just stay calm and keep swimming, Sarah. I may have to remind myself that over and over again!

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    1. Thank you Sarah!

      Yes, just keep swimming is a good thing to remind yourself. Sometimes that's all we can do...remind ourselves! We'll make it!

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  2. So much of parenting is learning by doing...and it's often less than helpful when others step in and try to judge your parenting based on what their experience has led them to believe is "right" for a child. Ultimately, you know your son best. Listen to the little voice inside that is giving you tips and encouragement, but also rest in the knowledge that you are exactly the parent God meant for your child to have! Just Keep Swimming is a great motto!

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    1. Thank you so much! Its definitely hard when other parents judge...I know they mean well, but you are right, I do know my son best!

      I will rest in the fact that God meant for me to be his parent. =)

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  3. Hang in there, kassie. It is hard, but you love your son, you have God, and you will learn how best to raise him in the love and discipline of the Lord.
    If I may... I recommend _Sheparding a Child's Heart_ by Tedd Tripp and _Don't Make me Count to Three_ by Ginger Plowman. Great books on how Scripture is our guide as we raise our children. I found these both to be great guides. It's nice to have a clear strategy in parenting.

    Be encouraged! You are doing one of the most difficult jobs God has for us. It is not for the faint of heart. But the Lord is our Strength--and gives us much grace. We all have bad days, and then we have days where we want to crawl under the bed covers and wonder why-oh-why did God think I was up to this task? :-)

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    1. Thank you Cindy. Your comment means a lot, coming from a mom of so many little ones! Such a good mom too!

      I will look into those books!

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  4. Oh boy, do I have a lot to look out for!
    Scary!!!
    You're doing great Kassie.

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    1. Just a stage. I know it, but a hard one...
      I'll be okay and so will you Jess!

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