*So the title of this post has changed three times over the three days it has taken me to write it. Two plus years into parenting and I am still amazed by the highs and lows that have been brought into our lives by such a little person.
I haven’t done much writing about parenting because when I am not doing it I am either sleeping, relaxing with Mr T and the tv or zoning out on social media. Today I had such a nice moment I really wanted to share it.
I have finally had the chance to catch up with my sister over video chat and give her a tour of our place. Little T had just about enough of me being on the phone and began throwing his farm animals and was about to throw some (toy) tools. I managed to say, “I see you really want to throw something, lets go find your white ball.” My sister commented, “Wow, you are so good to say it like that.” It felt so nice to hear my parenting praised.
As an expat the main negative is being away from our families, though this can also be a perk at times. We have realised over time that we like our own space, to be able to do what we want, when we want. But on the other hand we have missed a lot of moments like this. Because when we do see our family the time is spent catching up and doing special things, so we often miss out on this daily family interaction. These few words from my sister were a massive pat on the back and really pumped me up for the rest of the day.
Fast forward two days later, I have been stuck in the house all day with Little T waiting for the internet company to come for installation. They said 8-12 and arrived at 4. It wasn’t the worst day ever but he was grating on my nerves and I was running out of ways to keep him busy. I was relieved for a bit to prepare dinner whilst the boys swam and then we swooped upstairs for a work do to celebrate completing the first week at school. It was lively and other kids were there but I could tell Little T was tired and made the decision to take him home shortly after we arrived. He cried and screamed the whole way home and whilst I turned down the lights, getting ready for bed. I sat holding him and he sobbed, “I not silly at the party!” My.Heart.Burst. For the first time I felt I had made him think he had done something wrong, and what struck me even more was that I know there are going to be many more things like this to come. I had said to him he was being a bit silly at the party, which he was (but not in a horrible way), and all the children were, it was a party…
In the end he was asleep in my arms within five minutes. I knew I had done the right thing though it hadn’t been easy in the moment.
So this post has evolved from: Feeling Proud, to Positive Parenting and finally just Parenting. Phew, what a week!
-Mrs Turner
Turners Abroad 