Today was busy and I don't really think you are very interested in it. I had some alone time to get some fresh veggies at a farmer's market, I hit up the local Amish store and I am excited for some homemade Lara bars and some nut cookies in my future. Unfortunately right now I have to finish cleaning up the kitchen and do a bunch of other stuff before I can do any baking. But first....what's on my mind.......
We are in the middle (literally, Hannah is 2.5) of the Terrific Two's....and we are somewhat struggling with how to approach certain behaviors with Hannah. We have a crier on our hands and I need more patience. We have done time out, we have done room time we have done a zero tolerate boot camp of sorts and the tears (over any and every thing) have not decreased, and may have slightly increased. She is such a sensitive girl and while we appreciate and love the nature and personality God gave her, sometimes it's hard to know when she is being manipulative or just sensitive. She is like my newborn because we are getting up with her in the middle of the night more than we did when she was actually a newborn and it's hard to know if she's genuinely scared or just likes to cry because we come in her room.
Whew, I don't know really if I'm asking for thoughts or what. I don't have many friends here that have a girl Hannah's age so can someone just let me know what you think? Is this just a girl? Being 2? I know it's hard to know over the internet my situation but I am perfectly willing to ride out the storm of tears every day, but then I don't want everyone around me to think I'm not trying to parent my crying child. You know? I've read a few books about the crying/tantrums/etc and it seems like the overwhelming consensus to just to ride it out, let her cry, distract her, whatever, but Matt and my nature seems to be more trying to fix her/nip it in the bud.
The Bible in 90 days....today I read about Solomon (fyi I am at day 160 out of 365 and my end date is Sept 1st, so I am still a little behind but getting there!). All about him asking the Lord for wisdom. So that is my prayer for the stage we are in. Just wisdom to handle this in the way Hannah needs handled. I want to love her in her way, not in the way I think will change her behavior. I need grace, good gracious.
The reason the Two's are terrific are because between the tears, she is so hilarious and has us laughing all day. She does not! like to be called anything but Hannah. I called her sweet pea and goofball today and both times she said "Mom! I am called Hannah!"
She also asks all the time what things are (very normal, I know) but she asks me very strange things. She asked me what the tampon holder/trash can thing was at Target. I told her it's trash. She knew it wasn't, she knew it was something different so she said "No it's not, what is it?" So I had to expound on it and tell her that it was a trash can for tampons. "What are tampons?" Oh geez, this already? I said "It's something for big girls."
"Mom, I'm a big girl." Because I tell her that all the time, you know. "Umm, well, Hannah, you aren't big enough."
She asked me what the holder thing was that holds the paper that you can lay on the toilet seat in the public restroom (that are usually empty). I stared at her blank faced and tried to come up with an answer until I told her genuinely, "Hannah, I don't know the name of it."
So all in all, like I told my mom on the phone today, so far, this has been a wonderful summer. Matt has been home a ton we have done so many fun things and both girls are at great ages for zoos, parks, pools. It's the season for discovery with them and I can't describe the joy I feel looking at their faces when they explore animals, water, swings, slides, gravel, dirt, mulch and tons and tons of blueberries.
They both are so independent (strangely enough, at this very moment I feel like Olivia is a little more independent than Hannah) and my job truly is getting easier.
I thought this summer was going to be fantastic. And it is.
5 comments:
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wish i could help you with the sleep / sensitivity stuff. you may be helping me instead on the back end. girls are just so different from boys. love your perspective on parenting/disciplining to what God is calling you to for hannah (and not just resorting to what the general consensus says to do for a given issue or challenge). that's my perspective too, and sometimes it's hard to be the outlier even among other Christians as we all try to parent to the best of our abilities. there really is no comparing or better/worse as we all navigate raising our kids.
saying a prayer now for you. you're doing a great job. :)
Oh, my. We need to get together. I think our girls have the same personality. You never think you are going to be "that parent" that looks like you can't handle your child, but I am realizing it happens sometimes... and thats ok. You know how hard you are working at disciplining and sometimes its ok to give a little grace. I think before I had kids 1 year apart I judged parents too quickly. This season will pass and our someday our girls will develop into wonderfully passionate women!
the only thing i can say is: i feel like i have a different child than I did from 2.5-3.5. Of course she's always been fabulous and cute-but now she's just downright dreamy. (most of the time) Just like the tide sister. :)And my sister always says:"feisty will serve her well." :) Although my kids never woke up in the night. For that, I will pray. Ok, and on the larabars-how? Did you get dates? I've been trying to do that, too. I love love those things.
I enjoyed the tampon story!
Don't you love how God uses His word to speak to you right where you are? He knew you would be at day 160 right when you were going through your situation with Hannah.
our girls are the same age! selah is super sensative too, and the manipulative vs. actual need drives me nuts. it's so hard to know what to do, but i tend to pray outloud asking for wisdom. that either calms her down, or makes her more upset. and she also refuses to be called anything but selah... must be a 2.5 yr old thing!
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