Last night, Brooklyn hosted her first (and possibly last) slumber party. No, just kidding--but it will be the last for a couple of years. I learned first hand that 4 four-year-olds equals a LOT of attitude! I also learned that mine has one of the worst!! (she cried for at least an hour during the party because she wasn't getting her way) I suppose she was probably a smidgen over stimulated/over excited and probably having to share all your stuff with 3 other little girls isn't the funnest thing in the world---it's just that I had just hoped that this would be So Much Fun for all of them--and I am not sure we all felt that way when it was all over.
Tonight, we took her to see Ice Princess and then to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. Afterwards, she was crying about wanting something else. It was then that I started to wonder if we weren't turning her into a spoiled brat. Now, I know that sounds harsh--but let me finish. I also realized something else--the way our children behave is actually just a reflection of us! AUGHHHH!!! That's scary! Do I act like that?..........yes....I do! No, maybe I don't cry and throw stomping, screaming fits...but I do tend to get pretty catty when I don't get my way. Wow---why I am I telling the whole world this? I don't know--but it kinda feels good to get it out in the open. I can see so much of myself in my daughter---and its not a pretty sight! Sure, there are some good qualities she has inherited--but those aren't the ones I have to worry about. All I can say in the face of this matter is, "Lord, Thank You that I am seeing this now,while she is still young, and Please help me to change!" Ultimatly, my goal is to reflect Christ in everything I do---which would in turn be what she reflects. Praise the Lord that He never stops loving us or gives up on us! He desires to work within us to make us more like Him, no matter how off-course we get! I don't know how people do things like raise kids without being Christians and having their faith to rely upon. In my opinion, it would be a horribly scary and hopeless quest, to try do this on my own, without my Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit directing, guiding and counseling me. Once, when I was in prayer about a specific discipline issue we were having, God showed me something that was like the greatest revelation! It was that He knows exactly what our kids need and what kinds of discipline measures are going to work with specifically them. And--the best part is---He wants to tell us! So basically, we have all the answers on how raise our kids in the best possible manner, right at our fingertips! All we have to do is ask! Wow, how simple is that? And yet, we turn instead to magazines and TV and people like Dr. Phil. Like DUH---just ask your Dad! Okay, I don't know who I am talking to here---maybe it is just to myself--but I hope this helps someone else too! Have a good night---and next time you have kid trouble--just look it up in the answer book--or you can just ask the author directly. :o)
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