wild child...full of grace...

Thank you everyone who commented on the last post. That really meant a lot to hear your feedback and feel your support! The blogging community is really a neat thing. I have "met" so many inspiring Christian women through this whole experience and I really love that. Some aspects of blogging are, and probably always will be, a little strange to me. But, all in all, it has been a very positive experience so far.

So, I wanted to write a little about parenting a headstrong child. Zach has a very strong opinion about certain things. I often feel like people look at me in a bit of disbelief as to how I parent Zach. (sidenote: I have been a nanny for 3 families now and they think I'm awesome - ha!) Ok, back to my point...

Zach never gives up. He wasn't a cry-it-out type baby because he would cry for a week straight if I let him. He is headstrong, opinionated, and willful. If he wants something bad enough, he will do whatever it takes to get it. He will not give up. To me, if its not hurting anyone, why make an issue out of it. Is it really a big deal if he eats his breakfast snuggling with me on the couch instead of sitting at the table? Is it just terrible for him to be loud at the grocery store. Not crying, just noisy. Is it so bad for him to run around like a maniac when other kids walk nicely and hold their parent's hands? (by the way, Zach thinks he is way too old to hold hands ha! I do force him to do it when crossing the street so don't worry). Same thing goes for restaurants. He hates the highchair. (although tonight we ate at a fancy restaurant and he drank out of a real glass and sat in his highchair until we left!)






What does it hurt anyone for him to stand up. To walk around a little. To look at the people behind us. Is it really sooo terrible for a toddler not to stay seated? Not to me. I just don't see the point in making a huge issue out of it. But some people think the world will end if a child moves or is loud. I just don't care. He's a kid. He has the rest of his life to use his manners and follow all the rules. Honestly, I just thinks people want kids to fit into their grownup lives and not bother anyone. If you are bothered by a wiggly toddler, we wouldn't be friends anyway. So, why would I make my child and myself miserable for that?

Same thing goes for in the car. He loves movies. In a perfect world, I guess he would count the cars, practice his colors, or just sit quietly in his carseat daydreaming. Who does it help and what lesson does it teach to not let him watch a movie in the car? Is it better for him to cry the whole way to where we are going? All that does is frustrate me and get him more and more worked up so that we arrive at our destination in utter disarray. To me, that is just not how I want to live my life - or make my child live his.

If you are constantly in a battle with your wild child, try takimg some pressure off him/her and just let them be a kid. Embrace their little personalities. Enjoy their lack of concern for conforming to the norms of society. Let them breathe a little. You will be happier in the end. And so will your little one.

I'm linking up with Casey again for What is on your Heart. Go read her blog and follow her. She is beautiful inside and out!

Next post, is all about our amazing time here in New York with lots of fun pictures.