Putting My Foot Down

In the last day or so I have had my fill of tantrums. Last week my twig was a dream. My husband and I beamed with pride. He reminded me though that like every phase, the good phases pass as well. I was hoping that sweet phase could have lasted just a tad longer though. This parenting thing is a practice and at the moment we are practicing some tough love.

My mother in law heard of our night time struggle recently and said that this generation of parents are lacking in some down home discipline. I agree, and I am guilty. I try reasoning over bossing most of the time. I don't believe in lifting a finger, but I think raising my voice once in a while, just for the impact, wouldn't hurt. It seems over last few months I have forgotten to remind her I am still boss. Today, she shouted "no" at me, so now I know things have gotten a little backward.

When I tell her that she can't have something she doesn't take it well. I understand this, dissapointment is not my strongest suit either, but I have learned acceptance. She hits the wall and is determined to bring me down with her. She will just repeat "Mommy, mommy, mommy", louder and louder. I will say, as calmly as I can at first, "yes?" but she just says "Mommy" until I begin to lose it a little. She cannot break me down though. I may be irritated but I am pretty darn stubborn myself.

My husband and I recently decided that in the next few months, we will go ahead and try for another baby. This was not a small decision and how we got to it, might be deserving of it's own blog post soon, but for now I will say that the Pinball is putting a kink in our plans. What she doesn't know is that if she doesn't shape up, she might not get a sibling. Not sure that is something she feels very strongly about at the moment, but when she is fifteen and I am really mad at her, she is going to want someone on her side.

I have my work cut out for me. From the day she was born she has been a spirited one. She is smart, quick and lovely, but she is fiesty too. I have to put my foot down now, and not so softly either. I could spend a lot of time trying to discuss things with her, but less is more right now. Here are the rules kid, follow them or you will be bummed. I might stick in a little bribery too. It will be so out of character that she will have to feel the shift in the air, and after all I mean business now!