We've been experiencing the trials and tribulations of a pre-schooler with an increasingly stubborn and determined personality. While I love that Claire has a fire to her personality and a fearless approach to life, I also want her to learn obedience and respect. We are trying to work on some specific behaviors: listening the first time, not responding to a "No" with pout and anger (you should see how far she can get her upper lip to jut out), speaking politely, and cooperating with others. Some days she earns all the stickers on her chart, and others, like yesterday, are a string of big X's (STRIKE OUT!). **Yes, that was my child in Time-Out on the steps during Swim Lessons. I am happy that I can provide the instructive service to other parents for their children about "What Not to Do." You're welcome.***
In one of our many conversations about her behavior, I asked Claire why she wasn't listening to me. She responded simply with, "Because I want to do what I want to do." Actually,her response seems quite profound to me. Isn't that what we all struggle with on some level: the desire for self-gratification over the obligations to our families, jobs, health, and Maker? How do we instill in our children a desire for what "I want to do" that isn't destructive to themselves or others in the long run, that might actually be a desire to love others, bring peace, do the right thing? Beyond the day to day tedium of reminding Claire to say "Thank You," to clean up her toys, to play nicely with other kids, this is the larger goal, and, at the moment, a daunting one.
Between spring storms we fit in a picnic alongside the Missouri River. Claire loves to cast her Diego rod and hunt the shore for interesting rocks, feathers, and even little shells.
Hot dog roast over the fire while Dad fishes the Missouri River. (I got a chance to fish too.)
We attended the American Indian Council Pow Wow at Montana State. The cultures of all the various tribes in Montana are vibrant and beautiful. We had shown Claire some pictures ahead of time from the computer and had her listen to some drumming so she would know what to expect; unfortunately, what this led to was her commenting as loudly as she could while we walked in, "Look, Dad, there's a REAL Indian." Then a few seconds later, "Dad, there's another REAL Indian." At that point, we just picked her up and hustled ourselves into some seats : )
2 comments:
At least she waited till almost her 4th birthday before she starting giving you a run for your money :-)
I'd love to say the 'sassy-ness' or mouthy-ness gets better as they turn 4 but we are still working on it over here with a 7 year old. Ohhhh, the joys of parenting!
However, I do love Claire though. She is awesome!
Douwe and I were both on the floor crying one morning about the same thing while he was refusing to put his pants on by himself. He said it to me and I said it back to him: "You don't do what I want you to do!" The hardest thing about loving and relating with any size person I guess. It is such a feeling of powerlessness, whether we are three or 33.
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