Most days, I simply don't get Maggie.
Oh, don't get me wrong: I absolutely love her and I am so enamored with her that I know I am sometimes one of those completely annoying moms who wants to talk way too much about every minute detail of my daughter's latest developmental marvel.
But when it comes to her motivations and actions, I am completely dumbfounded. Coming from this people-pleasing, can't-we-all-just-get-along, life-is-just-so-much-nicer-when-we-all-follow-the-rules-and-don't-rock-the-boat type of person, Maggie is a total mystery to me. Fortunately, this means that she won't have to deal with all the sin and vices that come along with being a people-pleaser.
Unfortunately, it means she can be really, really difficult to parent.
Yesterday was a doozy of a day. It started out with my discovery that, sometime during the night, she had procured a pair of scissors and chopped up a down blanket, leaving a total disaster zone of feathers in her wake. She had also done a significant amount of slicing to her new curtains as well.
In addition to the normal strong-willed-child discipline issues we're dealing with every day, yesterday had several other pieces of straw that just about broke this camel's back. When Lucas got home and saw what a hard day it had been, he asked what he could do to make it better (he's so great, huh?). I said I think the only good option was to ask my daughter for forgiveness for all the anger and impatience, and then go to sleep and start again tomorrow.
And you know what? Today has been better. While I was spray painting a bookshelf in the back yard, Maggie slid open the door and stuck her head out, along with a bottle of glue:
"Hey, Mom- I'm going to glue my pony to my wall. Is that a good idea?"
At least she's learning to identify when it might just be a good idea to ask first. This could be a breakthrough, folks.
Stay tuned for great things from this little Maggie Mae. I know God has something important in store for all that passion and spunk. Can't wait to see what it is!
8 comments:
That is awesome!!!
Oh, Cherissa, I'm sure those straws would have broken THIS camel's back! I think that Grace is going to be very much like sweet Maggie...I will be calling you for advice.
So glad she asked for your advice on the pony. :)
Amy
My third is like that. I know God gave me mine to help teach me patience, endurance and to love people that I wouldn't normally. I've cried many a day and I love him to death at the same time. He is also my child that helps me to see how at times I must be to God.
I'm sorry you are having such a hard time but your post shows you are one awesome mom (and writer!). The horse/glue comment was hilarious (to me, maybe not to you...). Thanks for honestly sharing your mommy challenges.
I love her! She is going to teach you SO much! God is good.
Ha!! Oh, if only I could look back and show you all the days we dealt with similar battles! Call me anytime you need a sympathetic ear. And let me encourage you--keep on doing an awesome job--you will see her little will begin to soften! :)
I just purchased Cynthia Tobias' "You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded" for my own struggles with our youngest, which even at one, seem to be the handwriting on the wall...! And I totally understand NOT understanding the strong-willed thing, though I, too, delight that they won't inherit my people-pleasing addictions (though I wouldn't mind if they *pretended* with me now and then). I'll let you know if it works, but right now one of my only strategy is prayer!!!
The down blanket thing made me totally laugh, as did the polite request to glue the pony to the wall.
Bahaha! This is AWESOME!
Post a Comment