McKenzie left her rolling backpack and jacket on the floor in the hallway yesterday (I had just paid to have my house cleaned a few hours earlier and like to keep it that way for more than an hour...ya know???). I reminded her to put it away---twice. It found its way from the downstairs hallway, upstairs to my bedroom--in the middle of the room.
So I reminded her again. Then I walked past it for the umpteenth time, only to stub my pinky toe on the wheel. So I yelled and screamed this time--"Put your darn backpack away!"(except I said a bad word--one of my new years resolutions just broken--but pinky toe stubbing is ouchy and I'm a single mom this whole week so there's no one to run interference!!) Excuses, excuses. note..I really don't have a potty-mouth...I just swear occasionally & I'm trying to turn the occasionally into NEVER.
Then as I sat frustrated with myself and Kenz...head in my hands, here comes my 2-year-old Izzie. She softly lifted my head and with her finger pointing to me she gently whispered, "Have to be patient, mom... OK? Have to be patient. Then as she walked out of the room she yelled to me without looking back, "Can't yell at my sister, mom!!!$@^#***!!!!!"
My kids all do this--they have each others' backs when either Curt or I discipline or yell at one of them...it's like they gang up on us and remind us how to be calm parents...even though they're the ones doing all the things that make our blood boil in the first place. We'll just wait and see how it goes when they get to raise their packs of monkeys! I really am grateful they protect one another because when they're attacking each other I really know it's an 'attack of love' because they really do love each other. Or so I'll keep telling myself.
But I'm grateful for my Izzie who brought to light something I wouldn't have thought more about. I WAS being more than patient by my expectations, but Izzie's reminder made me understand how she sees it. I think she is a child of deep understanding and is definitely MY daughter for a reason. A two-year-old telling me to be patient? The fact that she even knows the meaning of the word is amazing. Yup, patience is a virtue and apparently that's something I still need some work at. Luckily, I have six kids who are constantly pushing my buttons and giving me the opportunity to develop that virtue...so I'm just sure I'll be a pro one day soon! Yup, that's right. A PRO, dang-it!
14 years ago
12 comments:
Right there with you! We all need to work on patience with our own kids and anyone who tells you they don't are either too full of themselves or they are just plain lying! I pray for more patience EVERY day. Especially when more than one of my kids has said to me in the past, "You are being grumpy."
OK, How cute is Izzy???? So funny!
Hi Shayla
I read this to my kids so they can see that it's not just me...and it is so true I would never yell if they didn't aggravate me first. My favorite is "Why do you have to be so mean." I think the secret is not to beat yourself up over it...we are all doing the best we can. I ask my kids in my primary class if their moms yell and they all do.
Oh, I so had that same thing happen to me today. I hear you! I am just glad that I am not the only one that needs patience. Thanks for sharing.
Can I borrow Izzie? That is one of my most needed attributes and one that I struggle with the most. You should see me driving, it's ridiculous. What a sweet girl!
I love reading your blog. As I was reading, I pictured the whole situation in my mind and could see it. You are a great writer. What a cute little girl and so nice to know that they have each others backs!
Did you get the Pioneer Woman from my site? Just wondering!
I love Izzie Wizzie Woo. Why is it so hard to be patient with the one's we love the most? I'm w/ you though. Backpacks on the floor are my pet peeve too. Sometimes I wonder why I pay a housekeeper so my kids can destroy it before I even enjoy how clean it is? Aaaahhhh.....motherhood!
Make Izzie stop growing! She is not supposed to be talking yet. She is too SMART and sweet.
Izzy reminds me of something Matthew did to me. (For those of you who don't know who Matthew is, he's Shayla's younger brother).
One day I was scolding him for doing something. I was down at his level - face to face and he leaned over and kissed my nose. Defused the situation and shocked me into reality. Precious kids!
Hey Shayla, just found your blog! Izzy is such a sweetheart! It's nice but humbling hen our little kids help us realized that we need to be better. Rachel always tells me "Don't yell at me mom!" even if I raise my voice just a tiny bit. :)
Whatever you do....DON'T pray for patience! I guarantee the Lord will bless you with many things to be patient about if you do!LOL
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