The best toy ever--an empty box.
Silly boy and his silly daddy.
Trying on Tatum's cycling hat.
He finds himself as funny as I do!
Just being his normal, goofy self! :)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Cult of Personality
The best use I've gotten from my psychology degree is being a mom. I revel in watching each and every new development of this growing little person. When he poops in the potty, I'm beside myself with wonder. When he cracks a joke, I can't believe he's sharp enough already to have such a firm grasp of humor. When he chooses words that I had no concept he understood, I am dazzled by the quickness of his young mind. I've probably unintentionally gained a reputation as a braggart mom by constantly talking up my young son, but I feel no desire to compete. I just am genuinely bowled over by watching the learning and growing process here in my own home!
I should probably read more advice books about raising toddlers, because I do find myself in a pit once in a while in this experience. Yesterday, I went to lunch with three other mommies and their children of similar-age to Paxton. My child was the only one whining, shrieking, crying real tears. The others all seemed either preoccupied with their toys or just a bit shell-shocked at the lunchtime crowd and new environment. When I put myself in Paxton's place, I think about how overwhelmed I get in crowded places and also how prone to breakdowns I am when I'm hungry, tired or just out of my element. He has my temperment, and I'm sure my nervous nature in situations like that is just contagious to my little shadow. I think because I have issues of embarrassment at my own tempermental behavior, I get a little extra worked up by Paxton's.
I have a subscription to Parent's Magazine and I read recently that parents have to set their expectations of their toddlers at realistic levels. We can't realistically expect them to sit content for an hour-and-a-half meal at a restaurant. And we get further confused, because once in a while, they will! We think, if they can do it once, why won't they do it every time? And, to be honest, I have a few friends who take their kids out to eat several times a week, and their children seem to be perfectly capable of behaving properly throughout the meal. Either due to his level of energy or to our lack of enforcing the rules, Paxton's not there yet.
That's another thing I've noticed--how other moms lay down the law. I tend to talk to Paxton like he's my peer. I reason with him, negotiate, distract him. I embrace his frustration and vent my own. This was always just what came naturally to me, and I do think it has had some positive impact on certain aspects of his personality. But watching Paxton's teacher guide her own son toward good behavior has been enlightening. Consistency has never been my strong suit. I think Paxton has had time out twice in his life, and I'm fairly certain he didn't feel punished while he chatted away in his little red time out chair. I hope that he and I can both pick up some positive discipline tips from his experience at school. We're both learning as we go through all this!
Despite all my moans and groans about the difficulties of parenthood, I stand by my statement that it's the greatest thing I've ever experienced. Paxton is the light of my life. He's hilarious, intelligent, sweet, curious and loving. He is his own person, trying on different personas here and there to see what fits best. I so look forward to seeing his journey into being a big brother. And I look forward to watch the unique personality of baby #2 emerge day by day. I feel so honored to be a part of this process with my sweet family!
I should probably read more advice books about raising toddlers, because I do find myself in a pit once in a while in this experience. Yesterday, I went to lunch with three other mommies and their children of similar-age to Paxton. My child was the only one whining, shrieking, crying real tears. The others all seemed either preoccupied with their toys or just a bit shell-shocked at the lunchtime crowd and new environment. When I put myself in Paxton's place, I think about how overwhelmed I get in crowded places and also how prone to breakdowns I am when I'm hungry, tired or just out of my element. He has my temperment, and I'm sure my nervous nature in situations like that is just contagious to my little shadow. I think because I have issues of embarrassment at my own tempermental behavior, I get a little extra worked up by Paxton's.
I have a subscription to Parent's Magazine and I read recently that parents have to set their expectations of their toddlers at realistic levels. We can't realistically expect them to sit content for an hour-and-a-half meal at a restaurant. And we get further confused, because once in a while, they will! We think, if they can do it once, why won't they do it every time? And, to be honest, I have a few friends who take their kids out to eat several times a week, and their children seem to be perfectly capable of behaving properly throughout the meal. Either due to his level of energy or to our lack of enforcing the rules, Paxton's not there yet.
That's another thing I've noticed--how other moms lay down the law. I tend to talk to Paxton like he's my peer. I reason with him, negotiate, distract him. I embrace his frustration and vent my own. This was always just what came naturally to me, and I do think it has had some positive impact on certain aspects of his personality. But watching Paxton's teacher guide her own son toward good behavior has been enlightening. Consistency has never been my strong suit. I think Paxton has had time out twice in his life, and I'm fairly certain he didn't feel punished while he chatted away in his little red time out chair. I hope that he and I can both pick up some positive discipline tips from his experience at school. We're both learning as we go through all this!
Despite all my moans and groans about the difficulties of parenthood, I stand by my statement that it's the greatest thing I've ever experienced. Paxton is the light of my life. He's hilarious, intelligent, sweet, curious and loving. He is his own person, trying on different personas here and there to see what fits best. I so look forward to seeing his journey into being a big brother. And I look forward to watch the unique personality of baby #2 emerge day by day. I feel so honored to be a part of this process with my sweet family!
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