Being a parent requires an insane amount of patience, love, and understanding. It's the best and hardest job in the world. It means mistakes will be made, tantrums will be had, but happiness and forgiveness will be the reward.
James's {big} personality has been taking center stage lately and we love it. Our days are filled with dancing, singing, reading, exploring outside, hide and seek, laughing, trying new foods, you name it. He LOVES life so much and because of this, he never wants to stop doing what he loves!
Yesterday, I picked him up from my in-laws and he was outside swinging with "Ba" (Grandpa). Each time Grandpa would stop the swing, James would sign, "More, more." I let him keep going for another minute or so, but since it was almost dinner time, we had to stop.
As I went to pick him up of the wooden swing, he burst into tears. His little bottom lip quivered, and his brows wrinkled downward. His face was bright red, tears flowing down his face, and he kept reaching back toward the swing as we walked to the car. I held him tightly and whispered in his ear, "I know you're sad because you can't swing anymore, and it's okay to cry."
He cried as I got him buckled in the car seat, and I kept saying, "It's okay to cry, I know you're sad because you had to stop swinging." I set a book on his lap, we pulled out of the driveway, and he was calm and happy by the time we got to the corner.
Parenting is hard work. Sometimes we don't always know what to say or do. One thing I do know is that I will never tell James to "Stop crying." Crying is a way for this innocent child to express his emotions, and I never want him to feel like his emotions of sadness, frustration, or anger aren't worth expressing. Yes, it breaks my heart to hear him cry, but telling James that it's okay to cry and express his feelings actually calms him down quicker. :)
I know that I have a lot left to learn and experience as a parent, but I'm hoping this approach will guide James through life without fear of coming to me when he needs something, is frustrated, angry, or sad.
before the tears :)
Sweet moment here. And yes, parenthood is littered with these interactions. So hard sometimes to remove yourself from the panic of getting off schedule because of these things. But your child will certainly appreciate the patience, which is a constant struggle for so many. Nice perspective.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a great job! We never really know if we're doing it right.
ReplyDeleteI agree, parenting is hard work, but I really like the way you allow him to express his emotions. You are teaching him one of life's lessons.
ReplyDeleteThis picture is so sweet! I'm no parent lol but I think you handled it perfectly and I think your absolutely right about a child being able to express their emotions! You're such a great mom!
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