When Your Child Becomes "That Child"
Meg Chaney
School has been an interesting challenge for us this year. Back in August, I placed my two-year-old in preschool. At first he cried, especially at drop-off and pick-up, but soon, he seemed to adjust pretty well. And then... he started acting out. I was so sad when I received the first email about him. My sweet boy wasn't being very nice at all. In fact, he was being all out defiant.
Oh twos.
At times, we'll go a week or two without any instances, but then, his little independent spirit will rise up again, and I'll here more about his school shenanigans.
Oh dear.
My mommy heart hurts that we're going through this with him. My prayer, day in and day out, is that he'll learn a great lesson on kindness. But teaching a two-year-old about kindness is pretty difficult!
Just the same, I'm so thankful for the people who have come alongside us through this struggle. Starting preschool, being around other kids his age, and learning to respect authority are big lessons for his little brain to learn. But I believe they're important ones. And I'm so thankful for the tremendous compassion others are giving us through this stage.
1) Teachers. I'm thankful for teachers that are gracious, and willing to work with my son. They understand his young age, but also aren't willing to let him get away with such behavior.
2) Friends: I'm thankful for friends that are gracious and understand. They understand that this is a working issue, something I'm addressing with him as it arises, but also something I don't condone.
3) Perspective: I can definitely think back to past circumstances when I wasn't as gracious with other young children. When they were mean to my child, and I took offense. Being in these shoes has reminded me just how hard this parenting gig is. It's not easy people, and we're all working through it together.
4) Free-will: We love our children and try so hard to teach them right from wrong, but they still like to make their own decisions, don't they? They still make decisions we don't always like, or condone. This scares me, as I think about my children growing older. But it also makes me pray for them all the more. I pray, that they don't always take the hard road. That God protects their little hearts. That they learn early in this life that living their life for Jesus is the best choice they could ever choose to make. And I know, that God created their beautiful, highly spirited personalities for for a reason!
“Rain down, you heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the Lord, have created it.
Woe to him who strives with his Maker!
Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth!
Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?”
“He has made everything beautiful in its time”