testing our boundaries

my son is really starting to test his boundaries (and his parents). he will grab something he isn't supposed to and i will tell him "no" and take it away. he will look right at me and grab it again. so i tell him "no" and take it away. we got thru this several times - every time he looks right at me and does it again. then as he starts to do it again, i say, "jesse, what did mommy say?". he looks at me and shakes his head "no". i say, "that's right. mommy said no". finally after several minutes of this exchange, he moves on to something else.

i am learning that parenting is about consistency and persistence. you have to decide to whether it is important enough to you and your child for you to take the time and effort to set the boundaries and keep the boundaries. it is tough because that has to take priority over many other things. you have to be willing to stop whatever you are doing at that moment to deal with the situation because they won't remember it even a few minutes later.

i have had several conversations with my sister about how scary it is to think that it is our responsibility as parents to teach our children so much - right and wrong, safe and dangerous, the difference between a tree and a bush, etc. it is downright terrifying.

but i know we are learning right along with jesse. it is amazing to watch him learn - you can see the gears turning as he is figuring something new out. and it is awesome to see how proud he is of himself when he does figure it out.

parenting is an incredible experience. i can't wait and yet am scared too to see what comes next.