Be The Parent

by E-NewsCast Team
March 11th, 2010

“No! No! It’s MINE!” my two year old screamed as I chasedaround her around the room for the remote control. A few minuteslater I was negotiating with her for a bottle of ketchup at thedinner table. And before bedtime, we watched a series of threeVeggie Tales videos over and over again until both of us wereexhausted for the night. After my daughter fell asleep, I beganto mull over in my mind the events of the day. Was my two yearold controlling my life? Ha! She sure was. But WHY? Wasn’t I theparent? That’s when I really began to do some soul-searching.I’d seen way too many parents of young children runningthemselves ragged to appease their children in every way. Givingin to each request was not something I’d planned on, but hadjust become the easy way out. I knew what I’d have to do. I’dhave to set rules and limits and follow through with them, andget this…ALL the time! Not having had much practice at this, Iknew I was going to be in for a treat once I began to implementit. So the next morning, my little one stumbled out of bed anddemanded a small bag of fruit juice snacks for breakfast. Irolled my eyes. Not the snacks for breakfast again! I was goingto have to make a wise choice and serve her something nutritiousinstead…eggs and oatmeal maybe? “No! No! No eggs! CHEWIES!” mydaughter screamed. By the time I had adamantly refused thesecond time around, she was on the floor pouncing and flingingherself all over the place. “Just be calm” I told myself.“She’ll figure out soon enough that you aren’t going to budge.”And she did. And she stood up, sat at the table, and ate eggsand oatmeal.How easy was that!Being the parent has become a whole lot easier now that I’verealized the importance of setting limits. Setting limits is notan overnight process. It takes some time. I am aware that therewill be plenty of mornings awaiting me when I will be faced withnew and different challenges. But you know what the best part ofthis journey is? Being the parent.– Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner ofwww.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm whichspecializes in web design and hosting, graphics and printdesigns, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also thefounder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog,and podcast for Christian women.

Popularity: 1% [?]