Recently I have had some flash backs from my childhood, but now I am the mom and I can see Elena just as I was as a child. This has done two things for me. First, I have a great deal more sympathy and understanding for why my parents did some of the things they did. For example, why my parents made us eat our dinner off the floor once, and of course there is the dinner for breakfast if you don't finish it. I don't remember why I ate dinner off the floor, but I am sure it was provoked by something. Regardless, I myself have contemplated the same tactics I because sometimes I feel as though I have tried everything else and am willing to try almost anything just to teach Elena a lesson. Things I thought were mean of my parents to do, I now see some rational behind them. No my parents were not mean or crazy, they were normal. I have been much more forgiving of my parents as I find myself battling the same things.
The second, and more powerful thing I have learned is that as a child you do not remember what you do to provoke your parents, all you remember is how they react. I know children still need to understand what behaviors are acceptable and not, but I am completely convinced it is so much more important to react properly because that is what sticks with them when they get older. How I live my life is the greatest teaching tool. Even if other parents look at my children and see all sorts of behaviors they wouldn't tolerate, it doesn't matter. Let others think what they want to think. What matters is that I am a constant and righteous example.
Now that I have this perspective lets see if I can apply it...
1 comment:
Haha. I remember eating off the floor too. I think it was b/c we decided to throw leftover pancakes around like frisbees. Melissa hadn't had breakfast so Dad made us eat off the floor b/c we threw her food on the floor. We were just having fun....:D...as any kid would argue. Thanks for your thoughts. I'll have to remember this when I'm in the same situation as you one day!
Post a Comment