Happy Father's Day
I am not going to sugar coat anything... today was rough.
DH is away for work again, and the LO decided to push my buttons 1000 times. I get it, she is 2.5! She is clearly testing her limits and exploring her independence, especially since I was frequently out of sight doing laundry and such, leaving her to her own devices. She was playing with things she knows she isn't supposed to, climbing to get items I purposely put out of her reach, refusing to eat what I put in front of her, knocking over juice and yogurt in frustration and throwing mini tantrums even at the swimming pool! Today was the last class and I didn't think we would make it in!
Did she drive me crazy? A little, yeah. But... I learned something today.
She was upset about something, I still don't know what, and we collided before going into the pool; I was kneeling down to talk to her when she thrust upwards, splitting my lip with her hard head. She was crying as my teeth likely hit her scalp and I was holding back tears so as not to upset her even more. Once she calmed down, I looked at my lip in the mirror and that's when she saw the blood. I went to hug her and tell her that it was OK, it was only an accident, and she pushed me away for a moment before wiping her eyes, standing up, and giving me a big hug. Then she looked me in the eye and said "Sorry Mama".
Cue Mama's tears!
We know that she has a minor speech delay, thanks to the continuous hearing/ear issues. But her empathy, her manners, her understanding about how others feel has always been advanced and that means the world to me! I may question myself as a parent more times than I would like to admit, but for a child that is so young to understand so much - has a level of emotional intelligence many adults do not - makes me... dare I say it, proud. I did something right!!!
After a difficult dinner and bath time tonight, she asked to watch Sesame Street. I didn't want the argument so I gave in. After one episode I told her it was time for bed and she went upstairs willingly. Once there, I told her she could only have one book because I was tired. She looked for a minute and then asked "Mama tired?", and I just nodded. She sighed, put her book down and said "OK Mama, dodo" and climbed onto my lap. I offered her a book again and she just nuzzled into me and said "No, dodo", and for the first night this week she went down with zero fight! I needed that tonight. Thank you, for understanding.
DH is away for work again, and the LO decided to push my buttons 1000 times. I get it, she is 2.5! She is clearly testing her limits and exploring her independence, especially since I was frequently out of sight doing laundry and such, leaving her to her own devices. She was playing with things she knows she isn't supposed to, climbing to get items I purposely put out of her reach, refusing to eat what I put in front of her, knocking over juice and yogurt in frustration and throwing mini tantrums even at the swimming pool! Today was the last class and I didn't think we would make it in!
Did she drive me crazy? A little, yeah. But... I learned something today.
She was upset about something, I still don't know what, and we collided before going into the pool; I was kneeling down to talk to her when she thrust upwards, splitting my lip with her hard head. She was crying as my teeth likely hit her scalp and I was holding back tears so as not to upset her even more. Once she calmed down, I looked at my lip in the mirror and that's when she saw the blood. I went to hug her and tell her that it was OK, it was only an accident, and she pushed me away for a moment before wiping her eyes, standing up, and giving me a big hug. Then she looked me in the eye and said "Sorry Mama".
Cue Mama's tears!
We know that she has a minor speech delay, thanks to the continuous hearing/ear issues. But her empathy, her manners, her understanding about how others feel has always been advanced and that means the world to me! I may question myself as a parent more times than I would like to admit, but for a child that is so young to understand so much - has a level of emotional intelligence many adults do not - makes me... dare I say it, proud. I did something right!!!
"The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any..."
Fred Astaire
After a difficult dinner and bath time tonight, she asked to watch Sesame Street. I didn't want the argument so I gave in. After one episode I told her it was time for bed and she went upstairs willingly. Once there, I told her she could only have one book because I was tired. She looked for a minute and then asked "Mama tired?", and I just nodded. She sighed, put her book down and said "OK Mama, dodo" and climbed onto my lap. I offered her a book again and she just nuzzled into me and said "No, dodo", and for the first night this week she went down with zero fight! I needed that tonight. Thank you, for understanding.
Now I am hiding in the Man Cave, watching recorded episodes of The People's Court while trying to keep my eyes open. I really should go to bed.
Happy Father's Day.
Happy Father's Day.
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