Realizing how my mother used to feel when she answered me with "Because I Said" is a real eyeopener. Kids are relentless with "why, why, why, why?" and you have not the ability to answer them with translated child speak to give them an answer that they will understand. Sometimes you have the ability and the time to explain it as best you can, but many times you simply do not have it---the ability nor the time. So you say, "because I said" and you can hear the emptiness in it (to your child's ears), but you have no other recourse in that moment.
Our little girl is named Shayla and she's 35 mos. old. She's a spitfire and is a cool, sweet kid, but like all she has her moments. We are finding ourselves having to attempt to 'nip in the bud' rather unsightly reactions to her parents' directives that are simply just not going to fly. It's tough having to do that---having to be so diligent in it. It's hard. You don't want to let these little things slip because you know that if you do they could take root in their behavior and That is the thing that scares you. After all, they're only going to get bigger, braver, and more cunning so you'd like them to travel a good track with all that........for themselves and for you. It's one thing when they 'talk back' to you when they're 3, it's another thing entirely when they do it when they're 14 or 15. :) While that train is not coming down the pike just yet, we're laying the track Right Now. Being awake for these defining present moments is my major concern. I would like not to look back and think, "Man, I wish I had realized how important that time was". I hope that I do. It's possible to be asleep even when you think you're awake.
I really hear my mom coming through me in my interactions with my daughter Shayla. I'm getting a real education here and I say that with a smile. In so many ways we are a lot like our parents and I think that parenting really shows the truth of that. It's great and amazing stuff with no detail of interrelational dynamics left out. Brilliant!! :)
Our little girl is named Shayla and she's 35 mos. old. She's a spitfire and is a cool, sweet kid, but like all she has her moments. We are finding ourselves having to attempt to 'nip in the bud' rather unsightly reactions to her parents' directives that are simply just not going to fly. It's tough having to do that---having to be so diligent in it. It's hard. You don't want to let these little things slip because you know that if you do they could take root in their behavior and That is the thing that scares you. After all, they're only going to get bigger, braver, and more cunning so you'd like them to travel a good track with all that........for themselves and for you. It's one thing when they 'talk back' to you when they're 3, it's another thing entirely when they do it when they're 14 or 15. :) While that train is not coming down the pike just yet, we're laying the track Right Now. Being awake for these defining present moments is my major concern. I would like not to look back and think, "Man, I wish I had realized how important that time was". I hope that I do. It's possible to be asleep even when you think you're awake.
I really hear my mom coming through me in my interactions with my daughter Shayla. I'm getting a real education here and I say that with a smile. In so many ways we are a lot like our parents and I think that parenting really shows the truth of that. It's great and amazing stuff with no detail of interrelational dynamics left out. Brilliant!! :)