Where to begin? We are having a "discussion" with Ella right now. She thinks that she only should eat sugar. Now with any other child, this wouldn't be an issue, but only Ella can make this a battle to the end.
now, there's so much background, I'll try to lay it down without confusing you.
People say Ella is just like me (finding it's slightly true)
Have been having discussions on how to discipline.
Have had a lot of discussions on strong-willed children.
Then there's this morning. Ella is incredibly angry because she was caught throwing away food, sneaking snacks, lying to her teacher, mooching money for sherbert, and other a sundry things like that related to food. She's VERY mad. Oh, did I mention that we decided to go on a refrain from sugar (for her). She's decided that she can't look me in the face, she couldn't eat dinner at the same table as us last night (even though we went where she wanted to for dinner because she actually ate her lunch), She has huge bags under her eyes because she won't go to sleep when we tell her, and she has to come up with things to blame us for ... oh and won't say goodbye or she loves me when she gets to school.
So this morning i woke her up by singing and rubbing her back, telling her how excited I was for her at school today. she smiled at me and asked what we were doing this afternoon. I told her we were going to the Tanger for the ice cream social. I wasn't going to stop our plans just cause she got in trouble, but there would be other fun things for her to do. Well, she's been telling us for 2 weeks now that she wants to earn 3$ for these gloves at Tanger, and proceeded to tell me it's my fault that I haven't just given her the money because she would have bought the gloves today... all with a smile on her face... a devious provoking, strong-willed smile.
Dont start my day angry girl!
I told her in the car, just let it go... she's so tired looking, and so angry that she's missing out on so many fun things... just let it go. And it hit me... I am so strong-willed even as an adult.
I don't care what the statistics are, don't tell me what I can and can not do. If you tell me it's not possible, I will try my darndest to make it happen. Don't tell me I don't know what i'm talking about, I'll argue to the death over trivial things.
And how much does it drive me crazy when things are out of my control... especially things that seem like they should be in my control: like my body or my family. I get so angry when things aren't MY way. I have started to get bitter about a couple things in my life... and I heard myself talking to Ella: Just let it go! I need to take 5 seconds to think how important what I'm standing for is, and if it's something in my control... oh wait, it's all in God's control anyway... and stop missing out on the things that are so great because i'm angry about the things that are wrong.
So, ella... i'll probably win this battle because I've had a few years to perfect my strong-will, and one day I hope for you to use your strong will for good and not for evil...
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