Today is one of those days where I don’t feel like parenting or being a parent. I would love to say to my partner, ‘Here, you take over for a bit, I’m going out.’ But that ain’t happening, so instead my son is in front of the telly and I’m in front of my computer.
JJ is going through a stage where he’s REALLY pushing the boundaries with me, testing me, then testing me, and then testing me again for good measure. I think he figures if he says something often enough then I will cave in and let him have what he wants. He doesn’t know what he’s dealing with though. The more anyone nags me to do something the more I dig my heels in and don’t want to give in.
This can make for some tense and volatile times in the Jaycee household. I lost it a bit this morning and howled up at the about to be full moon and then went and laid down on my bed for a bit. I was honest with JJ when he came in to see what was up and said to him that sometimes it’s very hard work being a mum and when he keeps pushing me and nagging me that it’s hard to deal with. I don’t know if I should be saying these things to a nearly five year old but I feel I have to occasionally so I can get it out in the open with him and move on. And move on I did. I could wallow around feeling sorry for myself but that isn’t going to achieve a thing.
We’re having guests over for dinner tonight so after lunch he helped me tidy up a bit and as a reward, now I’m letting him watch the video he’s been nagging me about all morning.
As a friend said to me last night when I was around their place for dinner and JJ was showing off his ‘impeccable table manners’, ‘When he starts school he’ll really settle down.’
I really hope he’s right.
Jen, I don’t know if you really appreciate the wonderful job you’re doing with JJ. I mean it. When you say you don’t know if you should be saying these things to a nearly 5-year-old; I have to tell you that you are ABSOLUTELY right to do so. Not only will you nurture a healthy, honest and close relationship with him from early on; but he’ll always trust what you have to say to him…good or bad….because you treat him on such an adult level. JJ will deal with situations with a much keener and fairer perspective because his mum has taught him to be that way. I can only say Bravo to you Jen. It’s hard work, yes; but you will be rewarded in the end. Love, Joy
I agree, I think you did the right thing, too. And I hear you about the limit/boundary thing. Just went through that myself! It seems like every so often they just have to test us. I think it makes them feel secure to know they are there. They just have to make sure they are really there… And that can definitely be hard on us moms!