Tonight Kaden, I guess, had had enough and decided to run away. He's such a good boy. He's very mellow, doesn't require a ton of attention, and usually goes about doing what he should. Lately he's been wetting his pants while playing outside because he's too lazy to come in the house. So he gets a little punishment for that and of course, Rachel teases him and tattles on him. That's what sisters are for, right?! She'll also tease him about a certain girl he has a little crush on. So he's frustrated with Rachel and all her teasing. I'm the one who has to decide on the punishment so of course he's mad at me, too. I also had to put my foot down about eating snacks. Our rule/routine has always been eat your dinner so your full then we have a little "bed time snack" sometime before bed.... if we have a dessert that night then that's the bed time snack. If not, then they can have some crackers, toast, fruit or whatever. Well, tonight we had brownies (I know, super healthy!), but he asked for more snacks right before bed. Nate and I have given in the last few times he claimed he was "starving", but I put my foot down tonight and it didn't go over well with him. He opened the front door, said he wanted to try a new family and stormed out. He returned quickly, but only to grab his coat! Then off he went shoeless. Rachel and Tye burst into tears. They thought I was crazy to let him go and seriously thought he was never going to return. I watched him walk down the sidewalk about 10 feet then he darted across our front lawn and stood in the rain in our flower bed. I went out there and told him I didn't want him to leave and would miss him too much if he left. He reluctantly came back inside. When I finally had the little ones in bed and was able to sit down and talk to him, what it really came down to was he just wants to know and feel that everyone loves him. Which we obviously do, but for some reason he feels picked on and unloved. Breaks my heart to think about it. I tell him I love him every morning and night and I'm sure a few times in between too. I try to give lots of hugs and kisses.... but I need to do more than that. Since he doesn't outwardly require a lot of extra attention, I haven't been giving him the extra that he needs. I think there's something about the second child in a larger family that they somehow get over looked... They aren't the oldest, the youngest, in the "cute" stage their younger siblings are in, etc.. Don't get me wrong he's adorable and does some really cute, funny and silly things, but you know what I mean, right? There always seems to be something that trumps him. And really it's my own fault. This has made me think deeply about how I can give of myself and my love in 5 different directions by my actions.... not words (and without the help of a husband since he travels half the week). I think I have my work cut out for me, but I can do it! I know exactly who to ask for help....
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matt 7:7-8
2 comments:
Sometimes I feel so stretched- so many little people wanting and needing love and attention. You are amazing- I have always respected how much love and patience you are able to give your children. I think the one thing I try to remind myself is that although being a child in a large family might take away from parent time- you do gain sibling time! I always felt loved in my big family because along with my parents, I also had 6 siblings looking out for me. I can tell that your children are good friends- it is so sweet that Rachel and Tye were so sad about Kaden leaving!
Thank you for the scripture. I too need some extra help with my second child. She was in tears last night because of her so called friends. I told Ryan last night that we need to pray for a girl her age to come into her life. Tell Kaden that I love him too! You and Nate are great parents and Kaden is loved more than he'll ever know.
Post a Comment