Sons

Proverbs 29:17 (New International Version)

¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;
he will bring delight to your soul.

My almost 2 year old son is really making me reflect on this verse. He has been more difficult than the other two. My oldest I did not have to discipline at that age but we are going through the teenage years and it is trying in another way.

It is hard to understand exactly what he wants because he only speaks a few words or phrases - but he has "NO" down pat. I am not here to discuss discipline in the general sense - "time-outs, spankings, and taking away privileges" I am talking about what his outbursts do to me.

He gets angry a lot when he does not get his way. Typical I know but it wears me out! I do not like to yell at my kids - I am not perfect and it does happen more than I like to admit. Most of his outbursts come when his sister tries to "mother" him or if he gets into her room and she wants him out. He is very pushy with her as well. Trying to teach him boundaries is not an easy task as well. He thinks that everything is "mine" and that if you have something he wants he will get it one way or another - that may be in the form of a total meltdown fit, hitting, biting, pushing or pinching.

All of this tugs at my heart as to what I should do. I have tried several techniques with no good results. I have tried to work with Abby to try and let him be and that she is not the Mommy.

What disturbs me the most is that I am seeing her react to him in ways that I have before and it makes me ashamed. I guess seeing it happen through her makes me realize I need a new approach.

I do not want them to grow up and realize that I yelled at them constantly or spoke harshly to them. I want them to see me as a loving mother who had rules that were to be followed.

I am at a loss right now as to which direction to go. I will continue to pray over it and hope that my actions will change for the better.

I love them more than I can even describe.