I read something the other day that articulated how I've often felt... sometimes it's the little changes our kiddos go through that seem more monumental than the big 'official milestones' that we, if honest, worry our little brains about a little too much.
It's not crawling, or talking, or walking, don't get me wrong, those things are exciting and to be celebrated by all means, but sometimes it's our lovely offspring suddenly being able to put the 'j' in 'juice' that we miss so monumentally.
It's the day when Bryton can, officially, dress himself, and he knows when he's put his clothes on backwards.
It's the day when the jumper just isn't fun anymore.
It's the day when the book is being read to me rather than I reading it.
And today - it's the day that I stop. fighting. naptime.
Bryton is three.
He has reached a healthy age to nix the nap. He'll go to pre-k during his three year old days, and he will get no nap there.
It is o-k. (Breathe, breathe, breathe.)
So today marked the first day of the rest of our lives. I even want to shed a little tear as I write this. Not kidding. The baby has napped every. day. for the last three years. It's like the umbilical cord. It's the last thing I have from his infancy. Maybe it's why I pressed to keep it so long. Who knows.
All I know is this: from this day forward, all that is required for little man, to remain discipline free, is that he remain in his bed and quiet for one hour. He may look at books, but he may not play with toys. If he falls asleep, great. If he doesn't, and the timer goes off, he is free to get up and go on as he pleases.
Mothers I have talked to have sworn by this method, saying that eventually their kids get bored and go to sleep.
And guess what. Maybe it was day 1. Maybe it was that time change messed us all up, but at the 30 minute mark, Bryton was awake, at the 40 minute mark, snoozing away.
There wasn't one fight. Not one protest. Not one tantrum. There is, apparently, freedom in the fact that he. gets. to. choose.
He is big, isn't he?
Ugh. My baby Bryton is growing immensely. I love him dearly.
By the way - sweet child is 38 inches and 31.8 pounds.
Until next time -
A
We get one journey... here's putting into words what is going on in ours.
I love this. :) Mostly because you get to go through everything before I do, so I can come back here and read for comfort. Haha! I'm VERY encouraged to hear this transition went so well, though. It's amazing how much they grow, and how fast.
ReplyDeleteOkay, question. Have you noticed the fierceness that comes with this age? The testosterone? Q is in this...gruff...stage right now. We're currently memorizing Psalm 19:14 if that's any hint. He just seems so aggressive in his tone of voice, and I'm constantly evaluating MY tone of voice because I don't know if this is something he's picking up from me, or just a boy thing that needs harnessed and guided.
All I know is parenting is not for the faint of heart. Or those without faith. ;)
Amen to that! And I have TOTALLY noticed this with B - and the closer we got to three (and now that we are in it) the worse it seems to be. Sometimes to take aggression out he'll scream... it drives me crazy. My tone of voice often mimics his - so I'm with you in that accord :( It's so hard in the moment! Maybe we'll start trying that verse as well :) I've looked through the foundation verses that lead to a faith response, but some of those make it hard for life application apart from understanding of context...
ReplyDeletePhew - anyway - let's pray for each other... without wisdom, phew, parenting is hard.
I know what you mean about teaching scripture within context! I have a hard enough time explaining that "hamburger meat" isn't actually a "hamburger" but rather ground beef. HAHA!
ReplyDeleteGuess I won't think too deep about it, and just pray and trust the Lord that He'll direct our paths. Hmm, I think I remember holding on to that passage of scripture through every major event in life.
TOTALLY wish I could have met you!!!