A little Dose of Reality

The not yet face of 2

More time on the stool

My sweet baby girl as turned into an independent, strong-willed, some times defiant screaming crying, "NO" yelling , occasionally hitting machine. Gone are the days of cooing, rolling over, scooting from room to room where the biggest problem you have is poo up the back ;). Where parenting consist of loving, nursing, feeding, changing, bathing. THIS is where the rubber meets the road so to speak. Where care taking meets true parenting. Lines must be drawn, boundaries set, where consistency is your only real guide.

This is where we are and this is the picture of our reality. I have found with each child there are MANY more similarities than there are differences as far as early childhood beahvior. Children are children and they ALL do childish things. They ALL push limits, they ALL throw fits, they ALL have tantrums, they ALL need discipline. HOW they need it may differ, how they respond may differ. All three of mine have been the same in some ways and different in others. I would have to say Caleb was the easiest.

Where he was often a whiner, and his whining could make you climb the walls believe me! He was not defiant like the girls. He was much more obedient. I stern look could whip him back in line. Khloe could take discipline like a champ she knew the punishment would fit the crime and would take it on the chin and keep on going. Sophie seems to be following right in those foot steps however a little more willing to push the boundaries unless 7 years is clouding my memory, there's a good chance :)

I have found through those 7 years I have changed also. I have raised two kids through the baby, toddler, early childhood phase and I have forgot what is was like. It is HARD to be this consistent. I find myself letting Sophie throw fits and ignoring them, walking in the other room trying to pretend I don't see what is happening on the floor right in front of me! Believe me when I tell you, THIS IS NOT MY STYLE!!!!! I DO NOT IGNORE!

I am tired though I have been there and done that and I thought it was over and here I am for round three doing it again...OI! I did not miss this part. My husband is gone the greater part of Nov-March. I am often a single parent I do not tell you this so that the violin starts playing and I can sing you a sad pathetic song. I merely say that so you understand the next part of the story. My husband does not often see the daily grind of our life.

He hears what I choose to tell him or what Khloe and Caleb choose to tell him now. He sees what little bits of life we share when he is home and the rest well is a mystery to him. The other day however he was witness to a Sophie tantrum..wowza it was a doozie! She is kind of a Momma's girl, OK she is a Master Manipulator at nearly 2. I was going to leave to pick up a movie and this is something I do not do in her mind LEAVE! Apparently she fell out on the floor and ended up peeing all over herself as a result of this horrid fit! Yikes glad I missed that one!

Anyway all had calmed down by the time I got back he handled it the way he saw fit which I am completely in agreement with. We then later had a conversation that I NEVER want to forget. My husband rarely offers advice to me with the kids. He is confident in my abilities, he trusts me, he sees the fruit. We mutually decide how to raise. This night however he hit me with a TON of bricks.

He said I don't want you to take this the wrong way but what are we doing to discipline Sophie when she acts up? I mean I am not here all the time but I sometimes see you ignoring things that should be handled. That with the other kids we never would have let go. I said you are right. I am trying but sometimes I am overwhelmed. Or I forget or I just don't know what to do with her.

His response yes you do! You have done it two times before. We have two great kids we don't need a stinker at the end. THEN HE HITS ME WITH THIS... "She deserves better." I could have burst into tears right then and there. He is right she does. She doesn't deserve my sloppy second parenting, my left-overs of what ever I can muster up, my inconsistencies. She deserves my best! I promise my sweet baby girl to give you my all just like the rest. Get ready baby girl training day has arrived!