When Your Kid's Just Like YOU!

Recently, I took a hard look at me and realized that my 6 year old was so much like his momma. For a second I was terrified, then I was overcome with calm and inspired. I realized that I was "battling" with my son more than letting him naturally be who he was, in fact, it was chaos. Two of us rushing, two of us passionate about any given thing and losing our tempers simultaneously. Imagine those fireworks. 

I decided to begin complementing my son to the I best of my ability instead of "butting-heads" as we often did. I decided to be exactly what he needed at any given time. So when he wants to talk, I listen. I do my best to actually listen without interrupting. This is not one of my virtues, but I try. I am patient in his haste. I am calm in his intensity. I do my best to be what he needs even if it isn't my norm. I have come to appreciate so much of who I am in experiencing who he is becoming. 

He's very competitive even aggressive when it comes to winning sports or boardgames. He is independent and can be impatient and temperamental. None of those things are bad, but too much of anything can be challenging. So, I adjust me for him while doing my best to show him how I channel stubbornness and impatience. I also strive to not take things too personally. Now even for a seasoned parent this is a tough one. Kids will hurt our feelings and as much as we think us adults can handle it. We are still who we are and in my case, I can be sensitive. I can be stubborn. So I work on it and I reach for the lovable me when he's temperamental or the kind me when he's impatient.

And as the years go on and our personality traits join together, in sync, well I'd say: watch out world! We're both ready to move mountains as a family unit and I believe that together we can, even if there's a whole lot of beautiful "fireworks" to be managed along the way.