I am trying to teach Gavin to have a "Happy Heart". (By this I actually mean content heart, but it doesn't sound as kid friendly, so I'm stickin' with happy.) He is a sweet child, but can get frustrated easily and is having a hard time with first time obedience and rejoicing at his brother's success. Even as I write it, this seems like some big expectations for a 2 year old, but when you break it down, I don't think it is.
To accept that we aren't going to do choo-choo train colors every minute of the day shouldn't be a monumental chore. To get in his chair when I tell him to...not too tough. It shouldn't take me asking three times and I should not hear "No." To say "Good Job Brayden" when he walks, instead of pushing him down...it can be done. All of these things I know he is capable of.
And so we institute time outs. (To be honest, Gavin obeys best when I tell him to go to time out. He runs there crying, but he goes the first time I ask him...weird.) Or when he has a fit because he is frustrated, he has to sit on his bed with his blanky until he can have a "Happy heart". I feel as though lately Gavin is in time out or on his bed, quite often. It is frustrating...not only for me, but for him too, I am sure.
We want our family to be about getting along, trying hard, and encouraging one another. And so daily, I gear up to do battle again, with a two year old who has yet to see beyond himself. And as I send him to time out for the ...I don't know what time...I realize I need to use each minute he's in there to pray. Because, my lessons may be a means to an end, but his heart will never see beyond himself without God's help. And frankly, my heart won't be so happy without some divine intervention as well!
To accept that we aren't going to do choo-choo train colors every minute of the day shouldn't be a monumental chore. To get in his chair when I tell him to...not too tough. It shouldn't take me asking three times and I should not hear "No." To say "Good Job Brayden" when he walks, instead of pushing him down...it can be done. All of these things I know he is capable of.
And so we institute time outs. (To be honest, Gavin obeys best when I tell him to go to time out. He runs there crying, but he goes the first time I ask him...weird.) Or when he has a fit because he is frustrated, he has to sit on his bed with his blanky until he can have a "Happy heart". I feel as though lately Gavin is in time out or on his bed, quite often. It is frustrating...not only for me, but for him too, I am sure.
We want our family to be about getting along, trying hard, and encouraging one another. And so daily, I gear up to do battle again, with a two year old who has yet to see beyond himself. And as I send him to time out for the ...I don't know what time...I realize I need to use each minute he's in there to pray. Because, my lessons may be a means to an end, but his heart will never see beyond himself without God's help. And frankly, my heart won't be so happy without some divine intervention as well!
Thanks for your insights & humor! I love reading your blog! Love, Amy Hanson
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