After a busy (wet) weekend we have tried to slow down this week. We are finding ourselves stuck in a cycle of toddlerisms, battles for control and the upper hand. Simple things are becoming tedious and hard. We need some time, some love and some strategies.
In that quiet we found a lot of lovely moments
I think Moo finds it hard as we try to make sure that she is allowed freedom to make decisions, steer herself as much as possible. To be herself. Unfortunately for me her current ‘self’ is strong willed, opinionated, loud and stubborn – the last one, seriously. She’s always been a great listener but suddenly I’m finding myself being ignored, polite requests are rebuffed and she’s mastered the bottom lip pout (which is adorably cute!). I find that as she ignores me I get frustrated and snappy and she then ignores my increasingly desperate and cross ministrations and it all goes south really fast!
This weeks highlights include having to leave a store with her screaming under my arm, and screeching her way round 1/3 of the grocers. While I know for some that’s pretty normal – for me they were both firsts and left me feeling out of my depth and blindsided. Suddenly weekly tasks we usually breeze though have become fraught.
And while I would really love to bring the smack-down (proverbially not literally) I know that for the most part the blame, or perhaps a better word is responsibility lies at my door and how I respond to her.
This book will be entering our home, as recommended by Little Coffee Beans – thank you!
And we are slowing things down, taking time to enjoy the little things. Focus on affirming her good behaviour (of which there is a lot) and our communication. Hopefully remove the pressure that exacerbates the behaviour – from us both.
