Here’s some breaking news – parenting a threenager is R-O-U-G-H. Like, there are moments where I’m all, “Can I get a return or exchange? I need the calmer model, stat!” Feel me? I mean, it’s mostly always awesome having a three year old, but I share about all the goodness often enough so I’m here with a bit of, we’ll call it, balance :)
Anyways, the point of my post and my most recent parenting revelation is this … learning to manage a three year old’s emotions is more about learning to manage myself. Yep, balls in my court. The whining, the fits, the food battles, all of it – I have the choice on whether or not it rattles me. All the moments I feel like yelling back or throwing my own temper tantrum about how freakin’ unfair it is to be tied to a sweet girl turned banshee at the turn of a coin, it’s my opportunity to practice self-control.
So, these days, I’m teaching self-control to a 27 year old. Myself. Of course, I’m teaching lessons to my threenager too, but mostly I’m focusing on me. Because she follows my behavior and it’s time I step up my game.
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Being a mother has taught me more about disciplining myself, not the kid- that's for sure!
bwaaa hahaa I did a double take on the threenager bit.. Love that!
Just you wait … I'm sure Penny will join Jemma's threenager ways in no time at all :)
my dad laughs at me all the time, because he can't believe i ever turned out to be so patient. so unlike deanna from 7 years ago. :)
Motherhood changes us in so many ways! It's kinda crazy! Glad that almost all of the changes have been for the good :)
Legit- thank you for writing this! I have been feeling this with my own drama queen and it is becoming more and more apparent that she is watching, watching, watching me ALWAYS. Praise the Lord for His grace and help in those tough moments.
and ONE Day you will get to impart this great wisdom to you "then" young lady! :)