freedom fighter

here's a little journal entry wherein i try to look on the bright side of a pretty--let's face it-- frustrating sitch. Little is testing me. but it's not just the occasional pop quiz (what happens to mom when i poop here?). it's like the SATs of parenting, set on repeat.

i love everything about this girl, so it's not *usually* hard to forgive the requisite toddler fits. it's just hard to be consistent in dealing with them.


i know she needs me to be tough and to teach her how to cope with boundaries, so i'm doing the work. it kind of reminds me of when we were little and my brother and i would beg my mom to do the scary witch voice. she'd say no, you'll get scared, and we'd say, no we won't! please, please! and then she'd give in and we'd instantly wet our pants and beg her to stop.

hm. not sure how that relates.

here are some clams running:
anyway, i think i'm seeing some improvement. it kills me (in the good way) when she does a complete reversal and says, sure, mom! can you make a happy (face), mom? after i threaten to take away some privilege. or when she tries to get away with something by creeping slowly on tiptoe. i liz a little every time.

we had some fun times today. but hubs wants me to go watch the fun tv with him now, so i'll just have to leave a quick recap:

:: first REAL story at bedtime, during which i actually got to read the words on the page and Little actually listened to and commented about the story. as written. (the book: are you my mother?)

:: on our way home from the park (post poop incident, in changed clothes) we had the kind of fun nature discovery walk i have been waiting for. acorns, rainbows in the sprinklers, pinecones...she totally gets it. *sigh*