Our staircase is the site of most of our discipline “events” these days. (Last week I realized that I wasn’t making sure Tommy had a change of heart, yet another of the many mistakes I will make during parenting, so I’ve revamped our discipline. I’ve been encouraged by my mom’s Bible study to go full-circle: physical consequence, then discussing what happened, what Tommy did wrong, what he should have done right, how he can do it right next time, and what kind of response would glorify God. Doing all this and praying at the end can take up to 15 minutes! Whew–who knew discipline for a not-yet-two-year-old would be so time-consuming…) Tommy has acquired this hacking, gutteral sound of defiance when I give him commands he doesn’t like, and he’s been doing it so much out in public that I’ve realized I really need to buckle down and deal with it every time it happens at home. I’m getting to the point where I dread going upstairs for diaper changes and nap time, because I know an “event” is almost inevitable. Since I can’t carry him anymore, though, there’s no getting around it. I’ve tried to start going to the stairs, praying that Tommy will obey this time, then issuing the “Upstairs!” command. As my fellow moms know, it is almost impossible to be really consistent with discipline day in and day out. I feel reinvigorated when I get home with my study on Wed. mornings, but by the beginning of the next week, I am definitely lagging. It’s only the grace of God that will keep me going in the months to come, especially after Baby arrives and I’m sleep-deprived.
So anyway, this is where I spend a lot of my day, teaching my son to obey. It’s not as glamorous-sounding as Derek’s job, but it’s the most important work I’ve ever done. And thank goodness Tommy is sometimes just obedient and cute on the stairs–God is gracious to give us respite in the midst of it all, too!
Does he still close his eyes in defiance? That’s my favorite.
I love that you have a favorite method of defiance, Uncle Piko.=) Yes, we don’t resolve an issue until he has looked me in the eyes…that’s usually what takes 5-10 minutes!
Personally, I’m drawn to the whiny, high-pitched whistle that emanates from who-knows-where when Mommy decides it’s time to leave the clinic with cool toys 😉
Hahahahaha! You’ve experienced it first hand!