Most of us already know that it’s hard but I’m repeating. Parenting, is HARD but it only seems to be hard if you are doing it the ‘right’ way. There are many ‘right’ ways and what works for me may not work for you and vise versa. I practice crying it out, self soothing, time outs and discipline. I think sleep schedules are important and that children crave boundaries and routine. I also parent with love, attention and believe in having fun and making messes. But it is hard, I believe it’s essential to make sure my kid doesn’t become a jerk but it’s tough.
When Nate is crying in his room after misbehaving, all I want to do is run in and cuddle him but I know that will just teach him that it’s really okay to misbehave.
When he yells that he doesn’t like/love me while he’s in his timeouts, it breaks my heart but if I give in then he will know that it is a tool to get mommy to cave.
When he’s wailing for me at bedtime because he wants to stay up or play or even snuggle, I want to go crawl into his bed and do whatever he wants but I don’t because we have bedtime for a reason.
He will appreciate it when he’s older, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. More so on those days when I’m crying in my kitchen because the day has been one of ‘those’ days. The days that challenge your resolve, make you wonder if you should really be someones mom and make you question all of your parenting choices. Those days are so far and few between but when they happen…you feel like the worst mom ever!
It would be so much easier to let him draw on the walls, eat cookies for breakfast (which does happen sometimes), run around like a crazy person and put no limits or restrictions on him but in my opinion, that wouldn’t be good parenting. That wouldn’t be doing right by him and he wouldn’t become the amazing man I know he’s meant to be. It would be easier on me, I wouldn’t have to be yelled at, frustrated when I’m putting him in time out for the 17th time or telling him again that yes it is bedtime. Children need limits, expectations and consequences!
I think easier now make for hard later on. I so don’t what a fussy teenager who never learned to handle being told no.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..A Very Long Search for a Pumpkin
love! yes! So not my kids’ friend…I am their mother that loves them, loves spending time with them and watching them grow and mature while hopefully leading them in the right direction
Not a Perfect Mom recently posted..I Would Be A Queen
Yes it is. His age is TOUGH, too. It doesn’t really start to get better until they’re around 5. He’s nervous about the new baby and it may even get worse after she arrives for a while, but he’ll even out.
Robin recently posted..Things I Saw on Pinterest That I Want to Make – But Won’t Because I’m Way Too Lazy
I have three boys and they are awful about leaving their stuff around the house. I started collecting items and making them pick a piece of paper from a “chore” bucket to earn their things back. Things range from clean your room to read a book to your brother. They are not loving it as much as I am. Ah, parenthood! Timeouts are essential!