Little Lessons

I am sure if you have ever been, spoken with, or had a parent, you know that parents learn as much from kids and the kids do from parents.

Not like, my 4 year old taught me a cool new way to tie shoes, but in that magical way they see the world through untainted and unbiased eyes that shocks you.  

I have learned plenty about myself and life in general from Will.  Patience probably being number one.  I still lose it, oh yes.  But it's so much easier after having Will for me to just wait.  

I have learned to just get up earlier to account for the 94 things that will happen to me on the way out the door.

I have learned that even when I am at my wits end, totally frustrated with my child who is clearly trying to push me over the edge of sanity, when I tell him goodnight, and I love him, I mean it with all my heart.  And then I apologize and promise to be a better mother tomorrow.  

There's nothing more rewarding then seeing that angel face of his coming in for a hug or kiss.  Unprompted affection can erase a day of strain.

A big thing I have been working on lately is the fact that there's only so much control you can have.  You can't "push" a toddler to do very many things.  Asking repeatedly usually leads to a stall or meltdown...You just have to ask, show, and then wait.  And control is hard to give up.  Especially when the person whose actions you are trying to control is all of 3 feet tall and has half your dna.  I mean, I should win a lot of these battles, right?  Welll....you know.

I think I am turning over a new leaf.  There will still be discipline for blatant disregard for manners and respect, but I'm going to try to do my best to just go with it.  Try my best to get out the door on time.  Put out food options that are "parent and kid approved" and if he doesn't eat, whatever!  

The main thing I am backing off of is potty training.  It has been such a roller coaster!  We went from wearing underwear several days a week (days I'm off work) to avoiding the potty like the plague!  He has his own ideas...and if wearing diapers is one of them, then whatever!!

I'm moving on...don't judge.