It is not their fault

As a mother this week, I had some moments in my life where my mind went back to the things I am learning in this class and tried to apply the principles I am learning.  I had a moment this week with my twins where I had to step back and not judge my child's character, but rather, their behavior. I really enjoyed a quote from this week's reading that said, "There is a big difference, though, between feeling angry at someone and letting that person have it. I'm sure you've been in plenty of situations where what you really wanted to do was scream, swear, or slap someone-but you didn't. So you know that you can control your anger when you must. (If you can't, you need to learn how. Uncontrollable anger may be entertaining to watch in a movie, but in real life, it's not a winning trait.) Control your anger when you are disciplining your child. Make yourself do it."

My girls are only 18 months.  They don't purposely try and make my life had and complicated.  They do not understand how to communicate what they are feeling or what they want, but they do try.  It is not their fault that I cannot control my own anger as an adult.  It is not their fault, they are only babies and they are learning.  This week I found myself making a conscious effort to tell myself IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT.  It is frustrating when they continue to throw their food on the floor or whine and cry, but they know very few words and they have a very hard time letting me know what they want, but that is in now way, their fault.  

I really enjoyed the reading this week and the videos we learned and studied.  As a parent, I hope to do better for my children so that they always feel that it is ok to come to me with anything that they need.