I am grateful for choices. Although there are many times that I may wish that my kids didn't want to make so many choices, I remind myself how important choices and knowing how to make choices has been to me.
Blake is a kid with opinions and always wants to choose. We have gotten into a pretty good groove where he understood when he couldn't have something. But the last couple months he has expanded the things over which he wants to have control and has developed a sense of negotiation. So we are both relearning how to provide and accept available choices, with plenty of tantrums along the way.
At the same time, Kate has recently begun to realize all the things Blake has or does that she does not have or do. So she now insists on feeding herself as many things as she can and will refuse to eat anything if I do not give her the same thing that Blake or I have.
So although these little moments of tantrums are frustrating, I am grateful for how much they remind me that I do want my kids to learn to make wise choices. And that starts with just giving them choices now.
I am grateful my parents gave me choices. As I famously repeated over and over when I was young after a lesson on choice - "I can choose". Knowing that I have chosen where I am makes it easier when it is hard. Knowing that I chose Pete and that I chose my children leads me to never ask "what if" but simply "how". I can't always choose what comes and I can't choose for my children, no matter how much I may want to. But I have chosen who will will love and who will always be part of me. And that thought is always a little moment that brings me strength.
PS - No documentary pictures of the tantrums this time :)
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