Yesterday I was feeling abundantly patient, and so when I went to the grocery store I let Judah walk along with me as opposed to sticking him in the cart. He just LOVES walking. He is very good about holding my hand, tho he will occasionally throw a little fit if he thinks we should be walking the other direction.
Or if he thinks we've stood and debated which fruit to buy.
Or if he thinks we haven't stood and stared at the balloons long enough.
When that happens I just get down on his level and a little eye-to-eye and reminder that he's not the only person in the store who has to hear him, and that temper tantrums *will not* be tolerated usually smartens him up. Or distracts him. Either way, he becomes a good little walker after our heart-to-hearts.
He had a mini fit by the feminine products yesterday. He wanted to stare at them. I guess they have packaged them to appeal to 14 month old boys because Judah really, really wanted to touch all the boxes. I tried telling him that he didn't need them and gave him a gentle tug.
He thought I was wrong, and started to fuss and pull towards them.
So I got down and patiently gave him the little reminder that he wasn't to have a temper tantrum. That we weren't buying pads today, no matter how pretty the packaging, and that we were going to move on, and he was coming with me.
This older couple happened to walk by as I was telling Judah he was to obey me, and as they walked past us I could hear the wife say to her husband in a scoffing tone:
"Ha! How can she expect a little baby to obey her?"
I didn't say anything (what could I say?!) but it made me sad that this woman didn't think I as the mother could teach my young son obedience and courtesy to others.
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Episode 9: Colombia Records
4 years ago
15 comments:
?! Did she never have children of her own? Or did she just let them get away with anything? I believe that small children understand a great deal more than they sometimes let on.
That is exactly what I wondered too!! I bet if she had a puppy she would start training it from day 1...
But I agree - I think they understand a ton more than they let on!!
You did just what I would have done and I have 3 kids. He will love you for it more when he grows up. That is what I am hopeing for.
Well feminine products ARE fascinating, you know! ;o)
Oh, gosh. I don't have kids, but I hate when people think they know the best way to raise someone else's kids. I hope I never do that to someone else.
He may be a baby still, but he's a very smart baby and fully capable of being taught at his level, with age appropriate consequences.
You're doing a good job, Momma! :)
PS...maybe that woman hasn't had a baby in a LONG time and to her, he still looked too little to understand? Just a thought...but she doesn't know Judah, so she can't know what he can understand the way you do!
Wow...My baby is not out of utero yet but I fully intend to teach him/her how to obey from the beginning. I cant imagine NOT teaching them, at least a little. Besides, Judah is a year old now, fully old enough to know what obey means...ugh...some people.
Ya know, some people (like that) should just shut their pie holes! That is so annoying!
Every time I see someone doing that to someone else, I hope God "blesses" them with a terror! haha...
That's exactly what I did with all four of my kids! Yes, they'd have their moments and meltdowns, but really they were very few and far between. The other thing I also did was tell them before we went into the store if they could pick out a treat or not. Sometimes it was yes and sometimes no, but I rarely had a kid screaming for all the cash register goodies. They knew if they could pick one or not that day.
I think you are totally 110% correct!
Some people have just given in to the mainstream way of thinking. You can't control them- they are just "little people" or pre-adults. If you read/watch all the "experts" (most of which either have disfunctional or no children) they would agree with her. You did good, Mum.
Thanks for the birthday greetings! I got the photo editor woo hoo!!! Unfortunately we are in the middle of a move, so I won't get to play with it until...later?
Keep up with the words of wisdom for Judah. My son (11 yrs old) to this day will say please and thank you... something we started when he was a baby.
Take care
good for you for teaching him expectations. i get stares and some "helpful comments" when I let my three year old walk in the store instead of riding in the cart but unless he is taught limitations and what is expected of him how will they learn?
it is OUR job to get them ready for the world... and good job getting your man ready for the femine product section. his future wife will thank you.
You are doing a great job an obedience starts young. I wish people would keep negative and passive aggressive comments to themselves.
don't ever be discouraged by someone else's misconception of your ability to teach obedience... sounds like you're doing an excellent job of raising up a child in the way that he should go!! thanks for finding me... i look forward to reading your blog.
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