Taking My Own Advice
I find myself telling Peanut things that I need to listen to as well. I feel like I need a clone who then parents me. For instance:
**You’ve had enough ice cream. If you want a snack, have an apple. But, Mom, ice cream is so cold and yummy. No, Katie, have an apple. It’s much easier with Peanut, believe me. Peanut’s eating habits are exemplary. She eats when she’s hungry and stops when she’s had enough, never out of boredom or emotion. She loves veggies, as do I. At least I have that going for me.
**You don’t say mean things about yourself; say something nice to yourself. I tell her this occasionally, though this kid’s self -esteem is not suffering. I want her to believe in herself and love herself. So far so good - with her, at least.
**It’s always good to try new things. I tell this to Peanut when we have unfamiliar foods or when we are doing something for the first time. We have an informal rule about this: if we’re having brussels sprouts for instance, I tell her that she needs to try it. She doesn’t have to eat it if she doesn’t like it, but she does have to give it a try. This extends to other things in life as well, and Peanut is game for a lot of new experiences. I sometimes avoid new experiences, even if I really think I’ll like them. Gotta stop that.
**When Peanut is looking for Bo (who inevitably gets lost around bedtime) she tends to shut down, flop herself down on the bed, and cry. I tell her all the time, wishing and crying is not going to make Bo appear. She’s got to look. Recently, I’ve really listened to myself on this one. I do the same thing. Metaphorically speaking, when life gets a bit tough, I flop down on the bed and cry, wishing things were different and my desires would fall from the sky. This doesn’t happen! Not with Peanut and not with me. I’ve got to get up and look.
Sometimes you have to take your own advice. Feel free to use your best Mommy voice.
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