the journey of parenting

Jude has undoubtedly the hugest amount of attention showered on him even before he was born, possibly as much as that of the Future Prince of Japan. You can't imagine how great he is in the eyes of at least six people. He made these six people become first timers overnight -
first time mum,
first time dad,
first time ah ma,
first time ah gong,
first time wai po,
first time wai gong.

But no way am i going to let the little one get his way just because he's so remarkable in our eyes. I borrowed tons of parenting books from the library and spent every free moment on the net reading up on how other parents bring up their kids. I even bought Supernanny vcds to watch while folding laundry. Not sure about the father, but i was a tyrant while growing up - all the way to adulthood. I foresee Jude to be equally bad. I better be prepared.

Experts are not called experts for nothing. All experts said that kids after one would start to test their limits. and true enough, Jude displayed signs of having his own mind not long after his first birthday. He started throwing tantrums if he didn't get his way and it took me a lot of energy to hold him still while he kicked and screamed. Unfortunately for him, his mother, me, had been well prepared after all the researching and supernanny vcds. I had seen this episode coming. Time for bounderies, limits and "no!". Time for Jude to know that his mother is not to mess with.

To date, i can't really boast that he's an angel, but at least he understands my explainations most of the time and can be successfully distracted from his naughty activities. The naughty corner pretty much worked, but i always forget to use it. I think i will use that more often when he's a bit older and knows how to spend some time to think. Regretfully, i spank him a lot on his little palms and his little butt. I know i can't rely on this method for too long 'cos it'll backfire eventually.

so.... more parenting books, more internet searches, more supernanny vcds to watch. I guess it's a neverending journey as long as i'm a parent. I subscribe to biblicalparenting.org and i love this excerpt from an article they recently sent me :

Most of all, be patient. Training takes time and implies lots of work. You're a coach and your child is in training. Give your kids a vision for living life on a different level and they will grow into some great relating patterns.