Dear Little Miss Independent,
I don't remember the exact day, but one day a few weeks ago you suddenly decided that you wanted to do everything yourself. And you learned the word no. You say it in a very clipped, squeaky way. No! And often, No!No!No!No! It has lead to a lot of frustration for both of us because in many cases while your desire is there your skills level isn't quite. And so in the end it takes a long time for not much to get done and we are both frustrated by it. But baby girl, I love that you have the desire. A while back you were refusing to go to sleep and in the end I had to let you cry it out. It was painful for both of us. I checked on you every few minutes and tried to talk you (and me) through it. I told you that I admired your tenacity and will-power but asked is you could save it for more important things, like not falling for peer-pressure and getting a good education some day. Lucky for me while you have gained a desire to do all things yourself you have not lost your desire to snuggle (and you are actually very persistent about getting your snuggle time when and how you want it, which often includes sticking your tiny fingernails deeply under my fingernails.) You spend about 75% of your time awake wanting to be held and snuggled and holding my hand and the other 25% saying No!No!No! and moving your body away from me when I get close and you fear I am going to attempt to assist you. I love you for both of these things. I love you no matter what. I love you because you are mine. And even though I am often frustrated, and underneath my fingernails is sore, I am so, so lucky because I have you.
Love,
Mama
I don't remember the exact day, but one day a few weeks ago you suddenly decided that you wanted to do everything yourself. And you learned the word no. You say it in a very clipped, squeaky way. No! And often, No!No!No!No! It has lead to a lot of frustration for both of us because in many cases while your desire is there your skills level isn't quite. And so in the end it takes a long time for not much to get done and we are both frustrated by it. But baby girl, I love that you have the desire. A while back you were refusing to go to sleep and in the end I had to let you cry it out. It was painful for both of us. I checked on you every few minutes and tried to talk you (and me) through it. I told you that I admired your tenacity and will-power but asked is you could save it for more important things, like not falling for peer-pressure and getting a good education some day. Lucky for me while you have gained a desire to do all things yourself you have not lost your desire to snuggle (and you are actually very persistent about getting your snuggle time when and how you want it, which often includes sticking your tiny fingernails deeply under my fingernails.) You spend about 75% of your time awake wanting to be held and snuggled and holding my hand and the other 25% saying No!No!No! and moving your body away from me when I get close and you fear I am going to attempt to assist you. I love you for both of these things. I love you no matter what. I love you because you are mine. And even though I am often frustrated, and underneath my fingernails is sore, I am so, so lucky because I have you.
Love,
Mama
