The Good Influence

As I picked up Zach from preschool yesterday, he was having fun with his friend Jack. We were all leaving the building at the same time and Jack started to climb on the railings on the stairs, so Zach did too. I told Zach to get down right now or he'd go to time out. I think I even used his full name. Jack's dad overheard me and laughed and said that he'd heard that Zach Mullen was "the good influence". That's funny and nice to hear because as much as my 3 year old can be trying at times, he really is a good boy and for the most part is pretty well behaved.



Mother's Day in the park

 It's a fine line to walk between making sure your kid is disciplined, respectful, and well behaved while indulging in their need to be independent and have their own opinion. Zach can be downright sassy and bossy, but he balances that with some really insightful comments and sweet behaviors. He really is a genuinely nice kid! But how do you foster his 3 year old creativity and independence with trying to keep him safe and to learn from his mistakes (or preferably, to learn from what I tell him as opposed to him having to make the mistake in the first place?)

So far we're muddling through. Parenting is a tough job. It's rewarding and wonderful but you question if you're doing the right thing all the time. Fortunately I have this adorable little boy who tells me I'm his best friend, and when I'm lucky, tells me I can come to his birthday party.