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Upside Down
Thursday, November 03, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
When it comes to your child, what do you do when nothing seems to be working?
Perhaps your challenge is bedtime? Or maybe potty training? Temper tantrums? Maybe it is just an off day filled with "off" behaviors?
I'm raising my hand and jumping up and down to the last statement. It's been an off day with my kiddo and I've had it.
Stick a fork in me. I'm done!
Let me start this by saying, I have a great kid. I love her more than anything. She's rocked my world and made me a better person. Simply her smile can make my heart soar or break.
However, there are some days - today - when I go nutty wondering what is going on?!
Today, it has been about whining. It's been about not listening. It's been about seemingly doing everything BUT what I am expecting or asking. Sigh.
Why?
I think it's about being tired. It's about needing some good ole' family time. It's about needing some quiet hours, where there is no where to go, no where to rush to.
Unfortunately, I say the above in retrospect. I say the above as the day has ended and she is snuggled up in her bed. I say the above knowing I wasn't as patient or kind as I want to be as a parent.
So, again, what do YOU do on days when nothing else seems to be working?
It's times like these that I often remind myself it's time to turn things UPSIDE DOWN.
It's time to take a different perspective.
It's time to go a different direction.
You see, on days like today, it's easiest to push the red FAIL button and want to give up, to want to give in.
Sometimes, it is easier to yell than it is to be quiet.
Sometimes, it is easier to walk away than it is to sit down and snuggle.
Sometimes, it is easier to turn our attention to something else than to deal with the issues at hand.
It's with the above in mind, that I set my sights on tomorrow where I will make more quiet time in our life, play more, and work to find more balance in her life that also provides as much sleep as her growing body needs.
And, when all else fails, it's time to adjust some attitudes through some good old fashioned tickling.
After all, who can stay grumpy with the squeals from a little one's tickles? Not me.
And for the mama, it's time to take care of her too. There's yoga, and coffee, and - if needed - chocolate.
As a parent, what are YOU doing when nothing else seems to be working?
