Raising myself

Well, I wrote a post about what I'm learning from each of the other two kids, so I feel it's only fair to talk about the middle child...the diva herself, Miss E. In so many ways, I feel like I'm raising myself (God bless my parents). From what they tell me, she is me from 30 years ago.

She is so tiny it's easy to forget she's 2 1/2. She has the tiniest voice (VERY unlike me) that is just too adorable except it's heard ALL THE TIME! It's almost just background noise to my entire day - until we get around people she doesn't know. She has big doe eyes that melt your heart, and she is still a cuddler. BUT she has a little (and some days BIG) bit of devil in her. When she doesn't want to do what you ask, she gets this wild look and produces a scream that has to originate in her toes. She is a master pouter and drama queen. It can make it hard to discipline because it just cracks me up.

Man, do I see myself in her. The rest of the world may not see those kinds of reactions, but I know that I am very capable of throwing award-winning fits myself. I can wallow with the best of them and make a mountain out of a molehill. Watching Miss E allows me to see how ridiculous it is to throw such fits even if they are internal. In the end, there are certain things that have to be done regardless if we like them or not. Life is a lot easier, and I can get back to what I want to do sooner, if I just suck it up and get on with it.

Nothing monumental or news to me (I've known I'm good at this for a long time), but it is something when you get to see yourself in a "mirror."

(One of our regular points of contention is her hair. It's long and adorable...and all over the place. She isn't much for sitting still while I fix it. Today of all days, she kindly stayed still so I could put it in a ponytail AND braid it! She was so proud. I'm hoping it will help convince her to let me do something with it instead of looking like such a wild child!)