Over the past few weeks Little A seems to have made some dramatic developmental leaps. She decided to potty train herself at night and now wakes up most mornings with a dry pull-up. And with almost no input from Adam and I! After an absolutely astonishing feeding frenzy she also appears to have grown an inch. But most wonderfully, she has been at her very best. The Little A that spreads joy everywhere she goes. Happy, jolly, fun, spirited, affectionate and funny. Aside from Halloween, prior to trick-or-treating, she has had no fits or tantrums. Little things that would have set her off in the past have elicited no adverse response at all. Although she generally saves all her bad behaviour for Adam and I, even her daycare teachers, have noticed that she is particularly agreeable lately. It's been wonderful.
And so, parenting has become effortless and blissful. NOT!
All of a sudden, Big A is copping a bad-ass attitude. It's as if she is 6-going-on-16! She completely ignores me and is extremely obnoxious, frequently trying to provoke me or Little A into a battle.
She doesn't pull these stunts as often with Adam, likely because: (1) I am around more, and most often the one dealing with 'transitions' during the day, and, (2) I suck at handling these situations. My mind just goes blank as to what to say and do when I am in a state of shock and outrage at her behaviour. I know I have to nip it in the bud immediately, give consequences, and follow through with them. But for some reason, in the heat of the moment, I just freeze. I really suck at disciplining.
I try to remind myself that this too shall pass, as most stages do. It's just a bit surprising to be dealing with this so early on. Big A really does act like a 'tween', she is trying to grow up so fast, it's really alarming me. She's taken to wearing a tank top under her shirts every day so that people will see the straps and think she's wearing a bra. Good grief, she's only 6!! It's actually a big worry for me that she will hit puberty really early, given the physical and psychological risks associated with precocious puberty for girls. I really do not want that to happen.
Honestly, from talking to other parents, I have concluded that parenting, regardless of the age of your children, is never easy. Every stage seems to have it's fair share of challenges, and no one can get it right all the time. I guess the key to successful parenting is to try your best, keep your sense of humour, and take a moment to appreciate the wonder of having children and be grateful for every minute it doesn't kill you!
Enjoy your weekend.
I love your take on parenting and you're definitely right. If it's not one thing, it's another and if you can get through it all with grace and a few laughs...then you've succeeded!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne! As over-used as this saying is, parenting really is 'the most difficult and rewarding job there is!'.
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