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Hello. I'm five years old. I thought I would help you other mothers of strong-willed children understand us a little better. So... without delay, allow me to share my day.
Like I said, I am five years old. I just turned five, actually. This morning, I woke up before everyone else. I got up out of my bed and snuck into my little sisters' room. Mom and Dad tell me I must lie in bed, quietly, with a book if I wake up first. I knew I should not be going where I was headed. You cannot blame me. I was bored! First, I woke my 6 year old sister up. I pinched her and asked her if she'd play house with me. She yelled at me to "Get out of my room!" That woke up my 3 year old sister. She cried. Sometimes, I successfully wake everyone up in the morning by hollering hymns. It is great to see how loud I can get! I wish Mom and Dad and my older siblings appreciated it more. Anyway, Mom did show up at my sisters' door. I got in trouble, and was sent back to bed. But at least she was up now. Breakfast was coming, soon! Mom appeared again, all dressed and ready to face the day. She said I could get up, after reminding me how I was to act tomorrow, and took my 2 year old brother's hand to begin going downstairs. The rest of us followed. I told Mom what color bowl I wanted, for my cereal, and which cup. I was angry when she gave me one that was different. She said all the bowls were the same. (I disagree!) I also told her I did not want milk in my cereal. She complied. Then got annoyed with me when I later cried that I wanted milk, after all. She told me the milk was already put away, but that I could put some from my cup into my cereal if I wanted. That's simply not the same! I left the table after that. Imagine the upset I felt when my six year old sister went and finished my cereal off, on me! I cannot believe my mother allowed it! Mom has a rule here at home, in the morning. I am not allowed to drive my toy cars and trucks on the middle room floor. It's wood flooring and my trucks make a lot of noise as they roll about. Daddy (and often my older siblings) are still asleep. Mom tells me that we need to be quiet. But quiet is dull! And toy cars don't sound real when they're quiet! I try to obey for a while. I really do! But then, I'm simply compelled to just go to the very, very edge of the living room carpet to run my trucks half on and half off the wood floor! After all, I'm technically still obeying!Unfortunately, Mom doesn't think so. Again, I get in trouble. She takes my cars away. Injustice! While Mom did my three year old sister's hair, and helped her get dressed, I was busy with my other younger siblings. I couldn't resist. Six year old was in the wrong place, and I pushed the two year old right in front of her and she tripped over him. Both started crying and I darted away from the scene. But not soon enough. Mom had seen everything. I got a spanking and was reminded of our verse today: "Be ye kind one to another". I was made to apologize to my sister and my brother. "That's not good enough," Mom told me. "Tell them what you're sorry for." It was too much for me! I burst out crying. "Now." Mom encouraged firmly. "I'm sorry," I squeaked. "I'm sorry for pushing you and for making you get hurt!" This forenoon we did school work, as usual. I despise waiting for my mother to finish telling the others what they need to do. I cannot bear waiting for her to get back to me when someone else needs help. I find that I can get her attention mighty quick if I only flip through the pages of my work text and threaten to move ahead at my own will and pace! My family has daily devotions before lunch time. Dad tells me I must not move from seat to seat or make faces at my siblings. I cannot even play with toys! Mealtimes are difficult for me. I want to get up at the counter and help Mom, but she only lets me do the easy stuff. I want to help cut the vegetables up with the knife. I want to turn the burner switches. She always stops me and redirects me back to "safer" activities. Sometimes I weary her to the point, though, where she tells me to get off of my stool, and get a book to read quietly nearby. That's another thing. She never lets me out of her sight! I always must be right where she is. Sometimes I outsmart her and sneak away. But only for a moment. Somehow she finds out I'm missing. Occasionally, she'll let me leave to use the bathroom. But I always get caught playing with the water in the sink, instead. When it's time for everyone to gather around the dinner tables, I want to be the first one there! I like to serve myself so I get the largest portion. Usually, I get caught, though. Mom tells me I must have one of the older children help me. And they never give me the amount I desire! And the bibs! Mom and Dad always force me to wear these silly over-sized tshirts over my clothing. It's a bother! But they say I make too much of a mess, yet, to go without. They say I can stop using the bibs as soon as they see no staining on it. That's impossible! Who wants to eat with utensils when it's so much easier to use fingers!? -- And where else is a boy supposed to wipe his dirty hands?! Oh, but I get tired of being reminded to "eat like a big boy"! I don't like taking naps. But they happen every afternoon, regardless. I wiggle and wriggle and just cannot be still! Mom has my sister and I in her room for nap time so she can keep an eye on us. My sister always falls asleep before I do. Today was no different. I had some blocks and toy cars that I hid underneath my pillow, you see. I didn't want to sleep. Unfortunately, Mom knew my plans. I ended up in trouble, again. And I did sleep. Tonight, after Mom tucked us into bed, I just couldn't resist singing again. She received a phone call, and I knew that opportunity was knocking! It felt lovely to belt out a loud song! I love my voice! Mom didn't. I don't want you to think I am a terrible child. Mom and Dad love me as much as any of the other children. But I know I take more work than the others. I can't help it. It's my nature, I guess. Mom found out about a book called, "Aaron's Way" by Smiley. She read that eagerly, and told Dad that it was validating, whatever that means. She said it was about raising a strong willed child. I guess that's me. My will is definitely strong. But one thing is for sure and for certain! Mom and Dad's will is stronger! I know they keep me protected, and work hard to teach me right from wrong. I know, deep down, that I do need to learn how to respect other people's needs and how to best care for myself. I just wish it were more enjoyable! And easier! If you have a strong-willed child of your own, don't give up! We need your loving authority, and your constant direction. Who knows where I'd be, today, if Dad let me lean any further out of that attic window when he was up there doing some construction, for example! Well, I'm not supposed to be on the computer. They say I'm too young. So, I'd best get off of here, quick, before I'm caught! Oops. Too late.
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