
Their poor dad would tell them to sit. He would get them back on the couch and settled. Two minutes later they were moving around again. He would pull them back onto the couch and tell them to sit still and watch the game. Finally as the first half ended he said, ‘that’s enough, you’re going to bed’. Then he had to endure the “do we have to?” and “this isn’t fair?” stuff. Regardless of what they said he held his ground and put them to bed.
So what was that about? Well…
It’s all about me! Me, me, me! Isn’t it amazing that a creature so helpless as a human baby has such a self-centred attitude? It’s all about me! The world exists for me. These creatures that come into my sight line belong to me. They are here to serve me.
I’m hungry, I cry, they feed me. I’m wet, I cry, they change me. I’m tired, I cry, they put me in a snug, warm sleeper and put me to bed. When people come to visit, I’m the centre of attention. One adult or two adults or five adults it’s still all about me.
I remember one of my psychology courses said children for the first few months don’t realise you are still alive and exist once you are out of their sight. We need to shape that “wee” will into cooperating with the rest of the world or things will not go well for them. The word “no” is vital to their character development. They need to understand that because they cry or pull a hissy fit they will not get what they want. If they get away with it all the time, they will be unbearable in school and in society in general.
As a parent you have to say no and be consistent in it. Don’t vacillate and change your mind. You are not helping your children in the long run. It is tiring, irritating and exhausting, making you want to throw in the sponge and just let it go. Don’t give up! The dividends come when you take your children out in public and people compliment how well behaved they are. You are preparing them to be a part of something bigger – a community without which they could not exist.
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