Our Battles

Did I ever mention that I have very strong-willed children? They are all SO VERY DIFFERENT, but they all share one, common trait....BEING HARD HEADED.  I know that this will likely be a trait that I will grow to appreciate ONE DAY.  Don't we all wish for our children to be able to stand their ground and think for themselves?  Right now, however, it takes a lot of turning my back and counting to ten. :)

Faith is on this kick....well....it's probably not a kick....BUT....since she can pretty much say whatever she wants now, she does just that. The child has no censor whatsoever. What she offers to the conversation is rather witty, but can come across downright RUDE.  Most times, I do not know if I should yell at her, laugh at her, or pray for my sanity...probably a little of all.  She's quick. She's sly. She can get herself out of any kind of trouble. Here are some of the things that she has said to me lately (I really want to jot these down for future years!):

After almost poking my eyeballs out with a toy, I remind her to be careful. She could hurt someones eyes. Her solution? "You had your glasses on, momma."

After almost breaking my neck on a toy, I remind the kids to not leave their toys everywhere. Faith's suggestion? "You could just jump ova them, momma."

After catching Faith pushing Mallory, I asked her if she was pushing. Faith's brilliant cover-up? "I didn't push. I just tag her."

Cameron is more laid back and I can usually reason with him. I can talk him into playing something he really doesn't want to. I can talk him into eating something that was not his first choice. However, he stands his ground on one thing: his disinterest in my little mini-lessons in the afternoon. Okay, I am trying to get the kids prepped for school. We are working on the basics: colors, counting, letters, shapes. Cameron is SO. UNINTERESTED. I try games. I try play-doh. I try races. I try drawing things that he likes (like tractors). As soon as he realizes what I am doing, he starts in on: "I tired." "I want to play wid my tractor." "I get treat?" "It hard." "I not want to."
Bless his heart! I don't want to drill him and give him a distaste for school at the beginning. So, I try not to pressure him. If he joins us, great. If not, I occasionally call over to him and casually mention the things were are talking about. He is ALL boy. Lots of times I can catch him off gaurd and he will give me the right answers....it just has to be on HIS time. Love it.

Mallory, I do believe, will be my MOST strong-willed youngin'. I would have NEVER thought it, but as she grows, so does THAT personality....one like I have NEVER seen. She is rough. She is tough.....and she doesn't take much from anyone. Her new thing is not wanting to keep her clothes on....particularly her diaper. She will be two in April, so I think that she is gearing up for potty training. I let her potty when she says she needs to, but I really don't think that she is ready....maybe if I could stay at home with her...BUT....Anyway, SHE thinks that she is ready. I don't know how many times we have to put this girls diaper back on in ONE day!!! I wish it were summer. That way, we could strip her down and say GO WITH IT! My Mawee Jo.

My children....YOU GOTTA' LOVE 'EM!!!!!