by Addie Gerlach

The beginning of this month was such a challenge in the parenting department. With the 4th of July holiday, the long weekend and trip to Oregon for our anniversary, I was completely thrown off from routine and so were the kids. Most of the challenging behavior came from Miss Older Sister, who was acting more like a baby than Miss Little Sister, who’s being a complete gem in comparison.

It’s so frustrating. I feel like I’m totally hosing over her childhood and she’s going to need years of therapy. It’s not that bad, but it sure feels like it when she’s crying and yelling about how she can’t get her jammies out of the drawer. I have to remind myself that this is a phase and we need to deal with it wisely.

Thankfully my husband is usually pretty calm, it keeps me (more) even-keeled. I was thinking about last summer, when I felt pressured to get Caley potty-trained before Amelia was born, it just felt like this insurmountable task. I had visions of her going off to college in a pull-up because she just couldn’t get the concept of using the potty. But then, a few months later, something clicked and she hasn’t really looked back. She’s trained. Now we’re in the process of training her in obedience and I feel so lost sometimes. I don’t remember being difficult for my parents! But I bet Mom and Dad can attest to some challenging behavior with me, hopefully I’m not that self-deluded.

It’s actually good, I think, to see this behavior from Caley, because it reminds me that we are NOT in control, GOD is. If she were perfect, it would be easier to be prideful in that, that she has good behavior because we are good parents and we do everything right. And honestly, since the beginning of this month, she’s been pretty good, I don’t mean to make my daughter out to be a little terror.

Through this most recent bout of behavior, God has taught me to just chill out and not react to her as much. He’s taught me rely on Him more and be honest to Him when she’s being difficult. This time around my parenting pride “branch” is getting pruned big time. Thankfully the branch that’s growing in it’s place is one of prayer and patience. And I’m sure in another few months this (or another) branch of pride will grow again, and again Jesus will prune it back. And again, and again. When will I learn? Oh yeah, never, because I’ll always be a sinner. But thankfully Jesus is patient, He will keep teaching me until He returns. Thank you Jesus.