Lately I’ve felt that we’re in a pretty good place with parenting.  We’re being consistent, we’re staying calm, we’re not reacting, we’re not engaging in their fits or boundary-challenging (ok, if you were with me Wednesday night, we hit a speed bump, but we made it to bedtime)… we’re in an upward trend.  Here’s what I’m learning about upward trends: the kids don’t like it.  They want to be the ones in control, not us.  They want to see if we mean what we say.  They want to see if they can find the right combination of buttons to push today.

The other morning I told Eli it was time to put on his shoes and coat.  He responded with, “I’m not listening until I can be in Cub Scouts again.”  Back story: he decided to quit Cub Scouts because he kept whining about having to do his homework immediately after school on Wednesdays in order for it to be done before Cub Scouts.  I gave him the option of not being in Cub Scouts after three straight weeks of whining, he agreed.  End of story.  He needs to learn that he can’t flip-flop.  As you may have read, or know from personal experience, I’m stubborn.  The stubborn, you-can’t-talk-to-me-like-that part of me started to stand tall for response, but I remained calm and said, “Do you really think that’s a good idea?” and returned to my room to get my shoes on.  When I came back out he was putting on his shoes and coat.  So in the end it was a victory, but what was with the attitude in the first place?!?

I’m beginning to think it doesn’t really matter how good of a mom I become.

Then when I take off my pride hat, I think about the fact that I have a perfect Father.  He doesn’t need to read any books, see counselors, listen to speakers, or call girlfriends for advice.  He just knows, because He made me, and He’s perfect.  Yet I, believe it or not, am not perfect.  I still make my own choices.  I still want to do it myself.  I still think I know better.  I’m still a child who wants to push the boundaries He has set before me for my own safety, both physical and spiritual.

So I will continue to set boundaries for my children, knowing that they will try to break them.  I will continue to stay strong, knowing they will try to break me.  And hopefully as I go through this process, I will become less child-like in my relationship with my Father, appreciating the boundaries He has set for me and being content within them.