Today marks five years since the release of The Force Awakens but around here it feels like a nonstop Rise of The Resistance.
In case you’re not a Star Wars fan like this household, I’ll translate: toddler-hood is tough!I have a very verbal and strong-willed child, which makes perfect sense, since I’m sure I was the same way. We’re in the midst of a “why?” phase that includes ignoring instructions if they aren’t a “good enough” explanation. And he makes his own, very convincing arguments (coupled with a manipulative, sweet face).
He’s also testing the limits of the spaces we had previously childproofed, making it harder to get anything done without someone else specifically keeping an eye on him. He’s figured out how to open gates, scales the stairs with no fear (or caution), and tries to “help” in the kitchen even if the counters aren’t clear to do so.
It’s hard watching his growing independence turn into more opportunities for him to get hurt, but I suppose that’s what parenting is. Whether you’re a busy working parent like me or a space princess raising a child in the midst of galactic upheaval, you hope you can teach them how to advocate for themselves and to value the lives of others, all the while, loving them fiercely. We pray they learn the right lessons, humility, compassion, resilience, and don’t fall into the temptation of believing they’re above reproach. We raise our children to be their own beings.
And it seems to me, that’s all we really can do.