The Plan.

So.  Despite referring to many parenting books.  And getting up at odd hours in the night to snuggle.  And breastfeeding until 18 months.  And painting love thickly on their little souls.   And, by golly, making homemade play dough, the verdict is out.  

My kids aren’t perfect.  

In fact, they are far from it.  As my wonderful boy turned 3 and is continuing to expand who is he, it is becoming increasing obvious that he has a bit of a crankiness issue.  Demanding tendencies.  Patience-testing routines.  Call it a normal 3 year old, or call it a kid with an attitude.  Either way, it’s where we’re at.**   

Where do we go and what do we do?  I could again pull out one of my many parenting resources and take one side of their conflicting advice.  Then again, we could not go out in public sans bribery chocolate bard in back pocket until this phase (oh, I hope it’s a phase) passes.

But we are trying another approach.  One that we’ve been experimenting with.  Perhaps erring on the side of brainwashing,

Because a student who has a teacher who tell her she is smart becomes, well, smarter.  A wife who’s husband tells her he likes her naturally becomes more likable.  A friend who is trusted with secrets becomes trustworthy.  

Kainoa.  You are so kind.  You are patient.  You are helpful.  You are fun.  You are lovable.  You are happy.  

And a child who is told this will embrace these qualities and thrive.

I hope.   I'll let you know that that goes.  

**Please note that my boy is also pleasant, sweet, happy, and fun.  Just less often than ideal.