A while ago, I blogged about the best mothering advice ever: Rachel Jankovic's assertion that everything gets better in twenty minutes, if you simply do the work in front of you instead of complaining about it.
Today, I remembered another little nugget that has kept me sane over the past year or so. Most of the interaction I have with women is with mothers just a little ahead of the game: 5-10 years older than me, with kids up to twelve years old or so. So when I chanced to be talking to an "older" woman, whose children are in their late teens and early twenties, I listened closely: her children are amazing, godly individuals. Whatever she and her husband did, they did it right!
At the time, Levi was about eighteen months old, and giving me quite the constant headache. "Oh, yes," this woman nodded knowingly. "Those half-years were always the hardest for me, from six months all the way up to 5-1/2 or so." It seemed odd to me, but the piece of information stuck, and I've found it very comforting.
I've noticed in the last two or three weeks that Levi has become much more compliant in his obedience, as well as able (and willing) to do some things for himself, sit through church, etc. In the meantime, however, Owen is exhibiting all of the opposite trends -- laughing defiantly at instruction, literally running away when called, becoming overly-emotional at the slightest reprimand or refusal.
Today it hit me: Levi is now three months past his 2-1/2 year mark, and Owen is rapidly approaching the 18-month mark. While Levi is coming out of one of those developmentally-challenging phases, Owen is heading into one. Their behavioral changes of late suddenly make sense to me. It doesn't necessarily make it easier to deal with each day while the phase lasts, but the knowledge that it is just a phase -- and one I have survived before -- enables me to work a little harder at both being patient and staying firm. Those are helpful tools to have in the arsenal!
Today, I remembered another little nugget that has kept me sane over the past year or so. Most of the interaction I have with women is with mothers just a little ahead of the game: 5-10 years older than me, with kids up to twelve years old or so. So when I chanced to be talking to an "older" woman, whose children are in their late teens and early twenties, I listened closely: her children are amazing, godly individuals. Whatever she and her husband did, they did it right!
At the time, Levi was about eighteen months old, and giving me quite the constant headache. "Oh, yes," this woman nodded knowingly. "Those half-years were always the hardest for me, from six months all the way up to 5-1/2 or so." It seemed odd to me, but the piece of information stuck, and I've found it very comforting.
I've noticed in the last two or three weeks that Levi has become much more compliant in his obedience, as well as able (and willing) to do some things for himself, sit through church, etc. In the meantime, however, Owen is exhibiting all of the opposite trends -- laughing defiantly at instruction, literally running away when called, becoming overly-emotional at the slightest reprimand or refusal.
My stylish little devil.
Today it hit me: Levi is now three months past his 2-1/2 year mark, and Owen is rapidly approaching the 18-month mark. While Levi is coming out of one of those developmentally-challenging phases, Owen is heading into one. Their behavioral changes of late suddenly make sense to me. It doesn't necessarily make it easier to deal with each day while the phase lasts, but the knowledge that it is just a phase -- and one I have survived before -- enables me to work a little harder at both being patient and staying firm. Those are helpful tools to have in the arsenal!
One smiling obediently, one trying to climb away . . . yep, this is the stage we're in!
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