I had one of those moments today….
Mind you, it was hidden amid the bickering, the back-talking, and the battle of wills, but I think that is what makes this little moment that much more beautiful.
My daughter, my 3 1/2 year old daughter, LISTENED TO ME….and she did what I asked when I wasn’t even in the room to monitor her. I know, I know…it probably doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but it IS! If you consider the number of times she DIDN’T listen to me just today (probably about 45), this one moment feels tremendous.
She ignored me when I asked her to share with her little brother. She chose not to listen when I asked her to put away the puzzle she had left on the floor. She pretended I wasn’t talking when I asked her to set the table. But, at the very end of the night, when I had all but given up hope, she listened when I half-heartedly asked her to put books back on the book shelf. I made the request, then walked out of the room to get some milk for bedtime. When I came back, I thought I might faint. Almost every book was put away and she was grinning at me like the Cheshire cat. I actually teared up. I know, slightly dramatic, but I felt like a salmon swimming up stream all day….and this moment was finally proof that I wasn’t invisible.
It was heavenly.
I’d like to tell you the rest of bedtime was just as peaceful, but I would be lying! Still, I can see the little light of her spirit shining through. I can recognize that her lack of listening is reserved mainly for me…a small battle of wills and her true attempt to be her own little person. Lucky me, to be raising a girl who will fight to make her own decisions!
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