When he is so upset about a broken cup that he can’t enjoy one of his favorite playgrounds…
When he asks “why?” in endless loops that don’t even make sense half the time and doesn’t even seem to listen to the answer…
When he wants to have long and challenging books read to him but gets distracted on every page by something different – and then cries if you stop reading…
When he wants help building his Duplos but gets frustrated if he isn’t doing it all by himself…
When he deliberately pushes the limits and disobeys in the “one finger across the line” sort of way…
When he is so big and sweetly thoughtful and fiercely independent…
When he is tired and whiny and just wants to snuggle…
When he is angry and unreasonable and tells me he’s going to break things and hit people…
When he laughs that crazy laugh that just about knocks him over…
When his mouth turns down in the frown that’s melted my heart since his infancy…
…then, it is up to me to remember that he is being three and a half years old, dealing with so much internal transition and growth, and adjusting to a new baby and my return to work, learning more about himself and the world every day. He is not an adult yet; he isn’t going to act like one, and it isn’t fair to expect it of him. What he needs is for me to love and accept him for who he is right now, and gently guide him as he grows into the fullness of who he will be.
little thoughts 