Lessons I’m Learning From Parenting…
JUST THOUGHT I’D SHARE A FEW LESSONS I’M LEARNING FROM PARENTING…in no particular order.
#1: My daughter is often quiet around other people, so it seems like people then assume that she doesn’t have anything to say. This is so not true. Once we get alone, she tells me all her observations and feelings. Lesson: JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE ISN’T SAYING ANYTHING, DOESN’T MEAN THEY DON’T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY.
#2: My daughter has been struggling with her aggressive impulses–she regularly pushes other kids, grabs things from other kids, etc. I know most almost-3-year-olds have some of this going on, so we’re working on it, but I’m not too worried. Sometimes on the playground, parents of under-2-year-olds, look askance at her when she is aggressive with their child, and then they give me a withering look, like “If you were doing your job, your child wouldn’t be acting like this!” When Sonnet was under 2, and a 2 1/2 or 3-year-old was aggressive towards her, I admit I foolishly thought, “My kid’s not like that, we must really be doing something right!” Lesson: JUST BECAUSE YOUR CHILD ISN’T ACTING OUT IN THE WAY THAT MY CHILD IS, DOESN’T MEAN THAT SOMEDAY THEY WON’T!
March 29, 2010 at 1:01 pm
and many times is not that you are doing something “right” or “wrong”. Kids are the way they are without our intervention. Some kids get the potty thing before and other kids do it later regardless of what you do. I have learn that is the same with everything. We are just there for the kids to learn whenever they are up to it.
Is sonnet going to school yet?
March 29, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Totally, Gab-e. The right or wrong thing is very big in this country: parents’ behavior as well as kids’ behavior seem to often be judged by some one-size-fits-all standards. When we base our parenting on what works for our family, we’re all pretty happy.
Yes, Sonnet is going to “school.” She’s in a grass-roots parent co-op school readiness program that ends in June. I’m trying to find a way for it to continue in the fall, because it’s really awesome! How’s life with 2 little ones?
April 23, 2010 at 3:24 pm
APRIL!! glad you’re back. The lessons I am learning now with John & Katie are the same as yours… “don’t worry about what others say or think. I must remember to balance control and letting go.” I recall stories you told about your dad and am putting them to use myself. Whether they are about to be 3 or about to be 21 (Katie on April 27th) our desire as parents remain the same. And Shayna is just starting her insolent teen years…. YIKES.
Keep up the “parenting” lessons, kiddo!