I have two friends who are expecting their first baby in the coming weeks. I got to talk with both of them recently a bit about my/our perspective on parenting. It's strange to feel like I have anything to offer these friends, as I feel like a new parent BUT I've had a child around for almost 2 years longer than they have, so I guess I have learned a few things.
I have so much more to learn, and of course, I'm learning new things all of the time. But as I processed with these friends, I realized that one of my main goals in parenting is teaching my daughters to have self-control.
Someday I want my girls to exhibit self control when they're feelings are hurt, when they do poorly in school, or when they don't perform as well as they had hoped in an extra-curricular. I don't want them storming off the field when they have a bad game nor do I want them to respond poorly when something doesn't go their way. It seems that preparing them for this has to start now.
In my experience (which is very limited!!), I'm trying to stat with teaching Ellie that when she wants a snack and I'm busy with Josie, I expect her to be patient and self-controlled, waiting until I can help her. When I tell her no, it's not okay to lose all self-control and throw a fit. When she doesn't want her diaper changed, she still has to lie still, because she doesn't get to choose whether or not she needs her diaper changed.
As a mom, you find yourself making a million decisions each day. Sometimes they're easy and sometimes they're very hard! I'm doing my best to keep my own self-control in check as I parent my girls! It isn't always easy :)
I have so much more to learn, and of course, I'm learning new things all of the time. But as I processed with these friends, I realized that one of my main goals in parenting is teaching my daughters to have self-control.
Someday I want my girls to exhibit self control when they're feelings are hurt, when they do poorly in school, or when they don't perform as well as they had hoped in an extra-curricular. I don't want them storming off the field when they have a bad game nor do I want them to respond poorly when something doesn't go their way. It seems that preparing them for this has to start now.
In my experience (which is very limited!!), I'm trying to stat with teaching Ellie that when she wants a snack and I'm busy with Josie, I expect her to be patient and self-controlled, waiting until I can help her. When I tell her no, it's not okay to lose all self-control and throw a fit. When she doesn't want her diaper changed, she still has to lie still, because she doesn't get to choose whether or not she needs her diaper changed.
As a mom, you find yourself making a million decisions each day. Sometimes they're easy and sometimes they're very hard! I'm doing my best to keep my own self-control in check as I parent my girls! It isn't always easy :)
