Not So Divine Secret Number Six

After trying to be the perfect Mommy and after trying to follow all the rules, you too will find yourself throwing the rules out the window and using whatever works for the moment. Which incidentally, may be different today than it was yesterday.

Yes, Secret Number Six is that you can read all the books you want. You can even tell yourself you are going to follow every "expert" out there. The bottom line is, if your toddler doesn't want to eat peas and carrots, wait, if your toddler only wants to eat macaroni and cheese for every single meal, well, you will find yourself just doing it rather than arguing. There is no arguing with an independent eighteen month old. And for heaven's sake- do not try to buckle them into the highchair when they can very well do it themselves (even if it takes them seven minutes longer than you).

I've read books. I've read chat boards. And blogs. I have observed other Mommies in action. Before having children I wondered why some Mommies just seemed so resigned to allowing their children free reign. And now I know. It isn't that those Mommies are totally defeated, it is that they are saving up for the World War of battles. So maybe they are allowing a few losses here or there because they know they need to fight the big one. And win.

We said our child wouldn't watch tv until she was at least two because that is what the experts recommend. HA! Just wait until your eighteen month old catches Nemo on tv one day. Life is OVER. When she cries "Mommy, moo-moo, shee-vee" and brings you the remote you know that it means, "Mommy, Nemo. NOW" And for the sake of your own sanity, well, you will probably turn on Nemo. For the eight hundredth time. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. I think I'm singing it in my sleep.

I am finding that the real secret is knowing which battles to choose to fight and which to just concede to the opponent. But honestly, no amount of preparation really is going to get you through this one. Everyone has to learn for themselves. It's like cramming for the big exam, you get there and you are wiped out. You knew the answer last night but it just isn't really coming to you during crunch time.

Secret Number Six? Do whatever works for you.

Comments

[Julianne]

Couldn't agree more. In our house the effort I have to put in to get my kids to eat three carrots and a bowl of applesauce is simply not worth it. I opt instead for multivitamins, gummy multivitamins.