At Loggerhead

Is it the age or is it something I am doing wrong? I cannot say and it is frustrating me. My son and I are constantly at loggerheads and it truly tries my patience.

I greet with him with the greatest of joy, having missed his presence for the whole day. Then he asks me if he can watch TV, knowing very well the answer is no. Then he asks me if he can have some candy, knowing very well the answer is a no. And so it continues, these requests which begets the dreaded no word. And it gets him in a horrible mood, he behaves badly as a result of being frustrated, then it tries my patience and sooner or later I end up blowing up.

What do I do? How do I break this vicious cycle we are in?

PUzzle and worried mom,
Nina

Taufik's Map

My son came up to me today to show me a drawing he made. He said to me, "It's a map Mommy. I made a map. See." he says, pointing to the piece of paper with scrawly lines all over. He points at the start of the scribbling, "You go here, and then you turn here and here and here...see Mommy it's a map."

Yes darling, I can see that you've drawn a map and I am so darned proud of you!

I love him so much this darling child of mine.

Faling in love with Inaaya

Loving your child upon its arrival is a given. At least it is true for me.

I have sat in buses, on benches in parks, in restaurants and shopping malls watching people - adults and children alike, asking myself this question - what if that was my child, could I love him/her? Always I think to myself, I could.

When Inaaya was placed in my arms the first time, I loved her till tears came to my eyes. Grateful was the word etched in my heart again and again as I held her.

But when did I fall in love with her?

I think it was the day she lay on my chest and fell asleep while I was getting my hair washed at the saloon, and Taufik was lying on my lap trying to create a little space where he wouldnt push Inaaya off me. I looked at my daughter, she half opened her sleepy eyes just to make sure that it was still me she was lying on, then closed them again to resume with her nap.

Then later again that night, while lying on my chest, I was watching the TV with Kim, she half opened them again, looked at me for the longest time with such love and adoration that my heart surged with happiness.

To be loved by your child - this all consuming, needy love - it is breathtaking.

It is nice to have a baby again, especially when my son is so independent now that he finds Mommy half the time a nuisance that gets in his play way. He doesnt need me so much anymore. He screams, "Let me do it myself!" when I try to button up his shirt.

But it is also nice, when thinking that your son was enjoying a sleepover at your neighbour's place with his best friend, William, to find him at the doorstep in the middle of the night cause he was caught sobbing in the dark while in bed, telling the adult who found him, "I miss my Mommyyyyy sooo much!"

He gives me a white Jasmine flower he plucked on the walk back home and tells me to smell it and wear it cause it makes me beautiful.

Oh to be loved by your child, let me count the ways...

My Child's Talent

What is your Child's Learning Talent?

by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

This was the result of a survey I took on Taufik at age 3 1/2 years old.

Not to be left unwritten

How can not write about this? It is simply too adorable.

Last night, I held Inaaya in my arms. Rocking back and forth trying to get her to fall asleep. I should have known better - the breast always works best. Anyhoo, slowly she fell into sleep. She smiled in her sleep. And what a beautiful sight that was. Then she smiled again, even wider. It had me smiling from ear to ear. She smiled for the third time and I wondered out loud what could have been amusing her so much. Was it our rumble tumble play in bed before bed time? Then, she gave a little baby chuckle. I could have squeezed her and kissed her a million times then.

Tonight, as I laid her onto the bed, she gave a little giggle while asleep. This girl is going to kill me with her cuteness. I cannot believe that she is my daughter. How lucky we are!

So off the two of them went to bed together. Lying side by side. I went out record my voice narrating stories for Taufik on the computer, when suddenly the bedroom door open and out came my son in his construction vehicles pyjamas. Taufik said, "Mommy, I just want to tel you. Inaaya woke up, but I softly patted her and she went back to sleep. So dont worry, Mommy."

Can I say my son is truly adorable, MashaAllah. Two lovely little gifts in one night, a chuckle from heaven and a child with a heart of gold.

I need to do my solat syukur. I really need to do it.

A happy Mommy.