Cute Antics Aren't Always Cute

I am the mom to three boys. I've learned some things in the last 12 years of parenting. I'm hoping this one will help.

Here's a scenario...
Junior is now toddling around the house having a grand time exploring his world. You pull out some blocks or toys for him to play with & he begins tossing them hither & yon. "How cute!" you exclaim. Or hubby may say, "Look at that arm!" and you do nothing to discourage this behavior because after all, Junior is just a baby & he doesn't know any better & he means no harm & really, would he even listen?

Fast forward a year or two...Junior is now bigger & you have Little Sis who is just learning to crawl. Junior is still practicing his throwing arm & is getting better with his aim. He tosses around the blocks, matchboxes, whatever he can get his hands on. They are hitting you, the baby, the dog, the walls, everything. Every time you tell him, "No, Junior, we do not throw our toys" the little darling just laughs at you.

So what should you do? Rather what should you have done....

Any behavior your toddler is displaying now has the potential to turn in to some very undesirable behavior when they are grown. Try to imagine what your young one will be like in just another year. Is this a behavior you want to encourage? By encouraging I mean, ignoring it. Do not discipline for it. Do not try to change it. If not, then you need to be proactive.

When your toddler is young & they are (for instance) following the above scenario, you tell them no each and every time. If it is a behavior you do not want to encourage, then you must be consistent (as with all discipline) and discourage it every time. Otherwise you'll be dealing with behaviors in older children & wondering why on earth they aren't listening to you now - it's because you didn't make them listen then. Young ones (and I mean young) have an amazing ability to learn - use it. Teach them. Teach them the way you want them to behave & you will enjoy the benefits when they are older.


Click HERE to read more "Help for Growing Families" posts.

Help for Growing Families - My 2 Cents Worth

Mother Hen over at Ship Full O' Pirates is hosting a new weekly link fest. Here is how she describes it: "This is my brand new Mr. Linky called Help for Growing Families. A place for more experienced moms of several children to share practical advice and helpful hints with new moms just starting out and with each other.

Almost all young (ok, all of us) moms are looking for helpful ideas to make their jobs a little easier or possible. When God sends us many gifts it can be lonely territory. And it can feel like you’re sailing in uncharted seas."

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I thought about whether I would have anything to offer. I'm only the mom to three (at this point). However, I've been a mom for 12 years now (yikes!). I continually read parenting books, magazines, articles, pretty much anything I can find to help me in this season of life.

Which leads me to this....

Mothering is a season. I'm sure you've heard many saying "Enjoy it while it lasts!" or "This passes so quickly!" But you know what...it's so very, very, very true.

When I was a new mom I can still remember thinking...I wish he was crawling or I wish he was walking or I wish he was talking. So many wishes. Then those days came & now they are all behind me. I would love to have another little one in my home learning to do all those things.

But then I'm reminded of the season I am in now. I have a 12 year old, a 7 year old, & a 4 year old. They are all in different stages of their growing. I want to be sure I remember it for each of them - to enjoy this time. Savor it. Remember it. Even scrapbook it! ::grin::

They are short seasons. I see it in the 12 year old who is almost taller than I am. I see it in the four year old who is growing so fast it sometimes scares me! I see if in the seven year old who is struggling to find out how to become more independent but still need the safety net of mom & dad around while he does.

Just remember - enjoy it while it lasts.