My mother had a favorite saying that I always thought silly. When she met someone she hadn't seen in some time and they asked how she had been, her reply was always "Some days a diamond. Some days a stone". As a child, I didn't know the origin of her statement nor did I understand it. Like many kid's view of their parents, I just chalked it up to crazy! As I got older, I knew she was expressing how some days were rough and ordinary, while other days were dazzling and beautiful. As grandparents raising our grandchildren it's easy to grumble about the negatives we face in our journey. However, not every day is grumble worthy.
Some days a stone...
My darling little Beastie, Aaron, is now 29-months-old and smack in the midst of the dreaded "terrible twos". His cooperation and disposition aren't always the best and I'm usually exasperated by the number of times this child can say "no!" each day. Even more vexing is that half of the time he says "no!" simply for the sake of saying "no!" and then immediately changes his answer to "Yes!". To keep power struggles to a minimum, I always offer him a choice of two, so that he feels in control. For instance, I'll hold up two shirts from his closet and ask him which he'd like to wear today. He'll put on a very convincing show of contemplating his decision before selecting his shirt without any tantrums. These "choices", whenever possible, have greatly reduced the terrible two melt-downs. It's also helped to acknowledge his feelings when he's angry or sad. These little people experience big emotions and have a hard time coping with or expressing those feelings. Telling him that I understand he's angry and sad that he can't play outside because it's raining lets him know his feelings are important. These tactics help, but there are also times when no amount of understanding, reverse psychology, cajoling and in times of desperation even bribing will gain his cooperation. During these ginormous bouts of demon child attitude it's difficult to call to mind the diamond days...
Some days a diamond...
Then we have those wonderful days when all is right in our little world. I will likely jinx myself by writing this, but this past week has been the most easy-going, happy and delightful week in a long time. Our little Beastie hasn't been the least bit beastly and has hardly used the dreaded "no!" at all! There have been no fall to the floor tantrums or the throwing of toys! He has wanted to snuggle in my arms just for the sake of snuggling, he has engaged us in play and silliness, we have talked about important toddler things like bugs, the wind, airplanes and big poops. We have sung songs, learned our alphabet and colors, built block towers that came crashing down amid resounding cheers and simply enjoyed our day. He has been utterly full of big squeezing hugs, nose mashing kisses, tickles and giggles. Though, I've been fortunate to have experienced this sweet disposition all week, just one day has the ability to erase a bad day that may have occurred a day before. A miserable morning can be obliterated by a delightful afternoon. But this past week, has made up for every test of my patience, sleepless night and change of plans. It reminds me that the sacrifices we've made are so incredibly worth it and this little boy deserves his G-Ma and Poppie's best regardless of whether a particular day is a diamond or a stone.
Some days a stone...
My darling little Beastie, Aaron, is now 29-months-old and smack in the midst of the dreaded "terrible twos". His cooperation and disposition aren't always the best and I'm usually exasperated by the number of times this child can say "no!" each day. Even more vexing is that half of the time he says "no!" simply for the sake of saying "no!" and then immediately changes his answer to "Yes!". To keep power struggles to a minimum, I always offer him a choice of two, so that he feels in control. For instance, I'll hold up two shirts from his closet and ask him which he'd like to wear today. He'll put on a very convincing show of contemplating his decision before selecting his shirt without any tantrums. These "choices", whenever possible, have greatly reduced the terrible two melt-downs. It's also helped to acknowledge his feelings when he's angry or sad. These little people experience big emotions and have a hard time coping with or expressing those feelings. Telling him that I understand he's angry and sad that he can't play outside because it's raining lets him know his feelings are important. These tactics help, but there are also times when no amount of understanding, reverse psychology, cajoling and in times of desperation even bribing will gain his cooperation. During these ginormous bouts of demon child attitude it's difficult to call to mind the diamond days...
Some days a diamond...
Then we have those wonderful days when all is right in our little world. I will likely jinx myself by writing this, but this past week has been the most easy-going, happy and delightful week in a long time. Our little Beastie hasn't been the least bit beastly and has hardly used the dreaded "no!" at all! There have been no fall to the floor tantrums or the throwing of toys! He has wanted to snuggle in my arms just for the sake of snuggling, he has engaged us in play and silliness, we have talked about important toddler things like bugs, the wind, airplanes and big poops. We have sung songs, learned our alphabet and colors, built block towers that came crashing down amid resounding cheers and simply enjoyed our day. He has been utterly full of big squeezing hugs, nose mashing kisses, tickles and giggles. Though, I've been fortunate to have experienced this sweet disposition all week, just one day has the ability to erase a bad day that may have occurred a day before. A miserable morning can be obliterated by a delightful afternoon. But this past week, has made up for every test of my patience, sleepless night and change of plans. It reminds me that the sacrifices we've made are so incredibly worth it and this little boy deserves his G-Ma and Poppie's best regardless of whether a particular day is a diamond or a stone.