I heard a kitchen chair scooting across the floor and went to investigate. Emma was on the chair pulling a spatula from the canister on the counter.Mom: What are you doing?
Emma: Baby1 naughny. Need spankins.
Mom: Oh, that is too bad. What did Baby1 do that was so naughty?
Emma: I say, "Baby1, Baby1, no touchy those tings." Baby1 touchy my tings. Need spankins. 2 spankins.
She got down from the chair, gathered Baby1 and went into the other room. I spied on her around the corner as Emma calmly laid Baby1 over her knee, gave her 2 spankings and then held her close in her arms.
Emma: Sorry Baby1. Obey me. No spankins, K?
She continued to rock the baby in her arms, gave her kisses and made soothing sounds. Next she came and gave me Baby1 with a heavy sigh.
Emma: Baby1 happy now. Obey me. Be happy. See?
Yes, I see clearly the relationship between obedience and happiness. Training my stubborn first born drains me of all my strength and I often feel defeated, until moments like these when I think maybe we are getting somewhere. My greatest desire is that she have a tender heart and desire obedience. We still have our moments of anger and fits, but they are less frequent and more controlled. Grammy reminded me that a strong willed child has all the power of a pistol; you just need to get her firing in the right direction. I love her personality with her determination and analytical mind. She will go far as she continues to learn. I am really proud of her.
"Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." Psalm 119:33-37
5 comments:
That's a great story. I'm just now starting to see a bit of rebellion in mine (especially at diaper changes).
Complete proof you are doing it right and your hard work is paying off. That brough tears to my eyes. Just a glimpse of your wonderful reward!
ps and so cute that she calls her baby1
Sounds like your doing something right! Sweet story.
Amazing viewpoint from Emma's perspective, apparently she gets it, love grammys word picture too.
Alysun, keep on keeping on. Dicipline is hard work and the tendency can be to look the other way or pretend you didn't see or hear something when you're tired or not feeling well, but consistancy is where it's at, and you are starting to reap the rewards. Love you, Aunt Marci
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