Wednesday, April 26, 2006

he's a handful, this one



he probably thinks we're a handful, too.

since greyson has turned fifteen months life around our house has become interesting to say the least. it seems overnight he has become willful, frustrates easily, and tries to assert himself in every situation. all of this i read are signs of growing up and are quite common among toddler boys. please don't get me wrong, i want nothing more than to raise an independent secure child. however, it's just tough when everything turns into a daily battle. everything.
diaper changes, carseats, getting dressed, when it's time to come inside, shopping carts, you get the picture. as soon as he feels pressured or rushed from us -he digs his heels in. the minute i insist, he resist.

at times like these i am so thankful and blessed to be a christian. i know that greyson will still test boundaries but through prayer, God will give us the direction and words that greyson needs. this is the biggest responsibility we have ever been given, but we are encouraged by the fact that God has chosen us as greyson's parents. i'm humbled that out of all the wonderful parents out there, he hand picked us to guide this remarkable little boy through life. the journey is bound to have challenges, but we're ready.
a friend also suggested this book by author jane nelson yesterday. has anyone ever read this one? barnes and noble is on my list of 10,000 things to do today. :)

14 comments:

Chris Streeter Davis said...

Wow! I can't imagine Brynn being that old! I will have to get the book too, she is already "something else!!" Adorable picture! :)

Renee said...

Yeah, they challenge you every day, that's for sure. But isn't it a great age? John M. keeps us laughing all the time!

chesneygirl said...

Oh I so know what you're talking about! My son, now 22 months, makes life challenging some days...fun, but challenging!

I have not heard of that book and have actually been thinking of looking for a book cause we've been having quite the trouble with temper tantrums lately. I may check it out, thanks Tara! :)

K.T. is Mommatude said...

I have one handful but she is a girl,tomboy to the bone,My son only gives us trouble at meal times he doesn't like "anything" Mine are almost 5 and almost 6.....Haven't read that book,I read "Gentle Discipline" and "Bringing up Boys" the latter of the two is by James Dobson.

Michelle said...

With that sweet face, you can't possible be describing the same child!?!?! The best things to do are give him tasks that he is capable of completing, offer choices instead of demands, and remember to pick your battles!

Bek said...

i can definitely relate. my son is 18 months and the challenges keep growing. but so does the fun stuff! and i think it outweighs! :)

Shannon said...

We took a parenting class through church called Growing Kid's Gods Way, by Gary and Maryann Ezzo. We loved it and the instructors have a book seires called 'On Becoming Birthwise, Babywise, Toddlerwise, Preschooler, Childwise' up to teens. They are all different books (one series) and Gary Ezzo does them with Robert Buckman. This is a great tool to use for our kids. They have a website, too 'gfi.org', they have the books on here, too. Check it out and have fun!

Shannon said...

Sorry, Tara - Gary Ezzo's wifes name is Anne Marie not Maryann!

Ex-playgroup mommy said...

Oh yeah, I feel your pain! It seems that once it starts..it never stops. I still have constant struggles with my 7 year old!! Emma is quite a "handful" but I love it all!!

Heidi said...

Hi Tara - I've only started to deal with this in the last week with Sam and it seems like as you describe...happening "overnight" she sure is getting older fast! God will see you and Jim through the obsticals. The three of you are so blessed to have one another. Thank you for the book suggestion, I'll have to pick one up! Your strong faith in God is inspiring and I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this!

Anonymous said...

I know you both feel blessed to be Greyson's parents but I hope you both know that Greyson is blessed aswell. You and Jim are the most wonderful parents!!!!

Anonymous said...

So, if you're NOT a Christian, does this mean that you're ignorant? That God didn't 'handpick' you to raise a child? The 'god' excuse seems self-righteous and rather ego-centric to me.

Anonymous said...

First of all, I find it ironic that someone with such a strong opinion posts anonymously! I don’t recall anywhere in Tara’s post where she calls anyone ignorant for not being a Christian. I also don’t recall anywhere she used “The 'god' excuse”. If you knew Tara (which obviously you don’t) you would know that she doesn’t have a self-righteous or ego-centric bone in her body. Also I’m not surprised to learn that you are not a Christian because of the hateful post you left. You can take that to mean anything you want.

Shannon said...

What a great friend you are Alison! Thanks for saying what we all wanted to! And obviously 'anonymous' has never been a parent! Doesn't God give us grace and mercy and know that we are not perfect?! Thought so! Hugs, Tara!