Thank you for your vulnerability. Reading this also reminded me I am not alone. Some days it feels like I am the only mom struggling with my spirited 5 year old. Your doing amazing.
So brave of you to write (and so beautifully too) about the challenges of raising a kiddo who is strong, spirited, and challenges us. I can relate. Thank you for this.
“...when I spend my time clawing at the curtains of the mother I have always wanted to be.”
This got me.
My “wild child” just turned 2 yesterday. I thought I’d be able to make family dinners happen at the table. It was so important to me (for many reasons you could guess). She would slam her head back so hard, over and over again when in her high chair. She’s like a shark; I had to leave food out so she could come and go and eat as she pleased. Otherwise she would not eat. So I adapted after trying to make it work for far too long. Had to make peace and find the gray in what eating skills meant for her.
I sent her a birthday letter to an email we set up. I wanted her to know that she is pure, unadulterated energy and that we have higher highs and lower lows. Enter EFFT and super feelers lol.
Multiple ER trips. Running through masses of people. Running head first into life (and Smithsonian display glass). A handful of diaper changes without wrestling or tears. Reminding myself that she burns so brightly that there has to be a cost. Realizing that it really is my job and duty to help channel that energy. It’s just... I have the clinical experience with young children. I have the theoretical knowledge... and sometimes none of it applies and that’s so hard. The guilt of “winging it” or doing the opposite of what I’ve learned is “correct” is hard.
Thank you for your vulnerability. Reading this also reminded me I am not alone. Some days it feels like I am the only mom struggling with my spirited 5 year old. Your doing amazing.
So brave of you to write (and so beautifully too) about the challenges of raising a kiddo who is strong, spirited, and challenges us. I can relate. Thank you for this.
“...when I spend my time clawing at the curtains of the mother I have always wanted to be.”
This got me.
My “wild child” just turned 2 yesterday. I thought I’d be able to make family dinners happen at the table. It was so important to me (for many reasons you could guess). She would slam her head back so hard, over and over again when in her high chair. She’s like a shark; I had to leave food out so she could come and go and eat as she pleased. Otherwise she would not eat. So I adapted after trying to make it work for far too long. Had to make peace and find the gray in what eating skills meant for her.
I sent her a birthday letter to an email we set up. I wanted her to know that she is pure, unadulterated energy and that we have higher highs and lower lows. Enter EFFT and super feelers lol.
Multiple ER trips. Running through masses of people. Running head first into life (and Smithsonian display glass). A handful of diaper changes without wrestling or tears. Reminding myself that she burns so brightly that there has to be a cost. Realizing that it really is my job and duty to help channel that energy. It’s just... I have the clinical experience with young children. I have the theoretical knowledge... and sometimes none of it applies and that’s so hard. The guilt of “winging it” or doing the opposite of what I’ve learned is “correct” is hard.