Parenting 505

Today was a hard day. It was clear to me about 10 minutes after Valerie woke up this morning that she had most definitely woken up on the wrong side of the bed. She fought with me all morning, on every single decision I made. There was a lot of crying, screaming, telling me she hates me, and complete stubborn meltdowns. The hardest part about it is the fact that days like this happen quite frequently with her.

When it was time to pick Damon up from school, my patience was wearing thin and I was about ready to explode. As I got out of the car and attempted to get her to come out of the car with me (should be simple enough, right?), she refused. She started flailing around and screaming that she wanted to wait in the car. Right at that moment, I looked out the car window and saw a couple other moms with their little girls happily skipping next to them holding their hand. And here was my little girl.....completely losing it for no reason! I couldn't help but think, "Seriously?! Why me? Why does everything have to be a fight with her? I can't take this anymore!"

Then I was reminded of a conference talk by Elder Lynn G. Robbins titled What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be? Below is my favorite part of his talk, the part I like to read over and over again.

"A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?"

I know I need her. I know I am her mom for a reason.