This is Maidsen she is my 1st born child. She made me a mom. I have never felt the overwhelming desire to have a baby and to be a mom as I did when I was pregnant with her. It's been a rough road. While I have enjoyed being her mother and watching her grow she has challenged me in ways I never new possible. I had an idea of what I would be like as a mother. But I forgot to consider what my child would be like. Madisen came out of the womb knowing what she wanted. From day one she showed little signs of what I would have to look forward to. The book, Secrets of The Baby Whisperer, described her as Spirited. And spirited she was. At times I wondered what I was doing wrong? How did I end up with a child that just would not listen. Time outs were a joke. It was like she would laugh in my face. My child was the one who would hit kids for no reason. When I told her not to run in the street she would do it just to see what I would do. I've always felt like I've had to be 10 steps ahead of her. Don't get me wrong she had her good days. When she was good she was REALLY good. But when she was bad it was like she was a little devil. This started when she was 16 months mind you. And went on until about the time she was 5 or 6.
I remember a mom telling about the book, A Strong Willed Child. So I went online and ordered the book. Several days later I was at a breaking point with Madisen, she was about 4 at the time. She had done something(I don't even remember what it was)she was in trouble. And she was throwing a fit so huge that I thought my laundry room door was going to break in. She was kicking and screaming and pounding and I was on the other side of the door crying. What am I going to do? I thought to myself.... How am I going to get through this? Later that day a package arrived at my door. It was my book. I began to read, and as I read I realized that I was not alone. There are other women out there who have gone through this as well. More importantly, this book reminded me of something else. The major theme in the book was that we are not alone and that we can look to someone else for help. Heavenly Father! As I was reading I remembered a line that has always stuck out to me in my Patriarchal blessing. It says that there are times that I will be challenged as a mother and that I should kneel in prayer and ask Heavenly Father for help. As I do I realize that I am ready for any challenge she might bring.
Madisen has been such a blessing in my life. She is such a good little girl. She is a great with her brother and sister. She is a leader and if she does not want to do something she is not going to do it. I realized that Heavenly Father entrusted her sweet little spirit with me for a reason. If I go to him and ask him for help he can and will help me. I'm thankful for her and for all that she has taught me. I'm glad that she chose me to be her mom.
9 comments:
That is such a nice post! I can't believe how big she is getting. Love the picture of her chillin'
Great Post! You are such a good caring Mom, I know that Madisen appreciates you!
I love Madisen she is such a good kid. I think you are a great mom too. It is hard to have such a strong willed child I have one too, they sure test you skills as a parent. It is a good thing she has you as her mother. She is so lucky to have you.
You are a great mom to her. She's lucky she got you too.
I love this post. Even though Faith is just 15 months, there are elements to her personality that just weren't there with Levi. I just thought I was a great mom and did it the right way with him. I'm now discovering he's mild tempered and easy going. Faith? Like your Madison, when she holds up to that poem:
'There once was a girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead. And when she was good, she was very, very good. And when she was bad, she was horrid.'
Yup. I think you and I are going to be great friends. Thanks for the reminder to turn to my Heavenly Father. It's such a simple thing and yet sometimes I forget.
Thanks for that post. How we need to rely on our Heavenly Father who knows our kids even better than we do. They come to this earth with their own spirits. I have found that the traits that make us crazy are also their gifts and talents that will help them be successful. A kid who has a mind of her own will be a great leader, a kid who constantly begs us for something even when we say no will be persistent and get things done. We need to seem them that way, then help them see how to use those traits for good - even if it drives us crazy.
You are doing great.
What a great post Audry. Thanks for sharing. Too many of us think we're alone when our chilren hit the possessed status. It's comforting just to know that obviously she was supposed to be yours. There was no mistake in that. So you must be the best for her and her for you. That's what I keep telling myself about Sophia. :)
I love this and I had the same thought as Rachelle...her strong willed nature will come in handy if she channels it the right way. She's so darling and the dance pictures are great! She looks so pretty but way too grown up. :) It happens so fast. I loved catching up on your blog and looks like things are going well. Loved the post about Thatchers, especially the picture of Luke in his earrings and tiara. That's blackmail for later.:) It was good to see you a couple of weeks ago; keep that up. :)
Madison is such an amazing girl. I love her strong will and her fighting spirit. I have always admired how you have dealt with her during her strong willed moments. You explain that what she has chosen to do is not appropriate and then explain another way to deal with the situation. Then I think to myself "wow, thats how you teach a child". You really are the best fit for Madisen......and maybe McK, Luke, and Logan as well:)
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