Tough Love

When my son was about 4, he entered a phase that caused me wicked grief. It happened each day when I picked him up from daycare or school. I spent the evenings wishing I could head back to the office and take him back to wherever he was. I cried when I picked him up because he just made EVERYTHING difficult in the evenings. There were tears, fits, arguments, no eating, complaining, bathroom issues, etc. It was like he combined his terrible twos and tenacious threes all into the Furious Fours.

But we got through it, and he's such a sweet, loving, wonderful little boy. Evenings now involve hugs, abundant "I love you"s and him showing off his good behavior for his sister....

Who has now taken his place in this phase.

It doesn't matter which grandma she's been with, if she's had a busy day or lazy day. Nap or no nap, fun or no fun - she IMMEDIATELY finds something to throw a fit about as SOON as we hit the car or house. All evening, she cries, throws fits, argues, melts down, accuses us of never letting her do anything, never giving her anything, not loving her. It makes coming home...down right awful.

I know it's a phase. Her brother proved to me that it ends and it all gets better. That she and I both will come through it unscarred and still loving each other. My husband might not escape it unscarred though - being firm with his little girl breaks his heart.

And trust me, these little faces are hard to stare down. But sometimes love is tough - and the aftermath is sweet reward.