While I don't necessarily believe in the old adage of the "terrible twos," I do believe that the toddler years (twos, threes, AND fours) are filled with challenges that test our patience and our resolve on a daily basis. Luke and I parent a bit differently; though we both try very hard to enforce rules and limits, and not to spoil Isabel, I tend to be a little more of the "softie" and thus, she pushes me harder than she pushes him, because she knows she can (often) get away with a little more with Mommy. In some of my weakest moments, Luke has been known to ask "Who is in charge here?" So when Isabel has a moment where she does not want to do something, yet chooses not to be defiant to me and instead cooperates, it warms my heart.
Tonight before bed, after she had her jammies on and after we read story #2 of 3, Isabel clambered down from my lap because she saw a pair of socks under her crib that she felt she just had to go and pick up. What was she going to do with these socks, you might ask? Well, put them on her hands and pretend they are mittens, of course. She does this at least a handful of times each day. Isn't that what socks are for, after all? So, fearing the worst, I got down off the rocking chair, walked over to her, and very softly said "Now is not the time to play with those socks as mittens. Now is the time to read our last story before bed." She looked at me, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. What to do, what to do, she was asking herself. I swear I could almost see the word "No!" forming on her lips. However, she chose instead to take the socks off her hands, said "Here, Mommy," and handed them to me to put in the hamper. ALLELUIA! We then read our last story and off to bed she went.
Celebrate the little successes I say! It is the only thing that will get us through the most challenging days with toddlers!
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