Proud Momma

All too often I use this blog to vent my frustrations about Spike and being a SAHM, so I thought today merited a positive, if slightly boastful, post.

First of all, after my recent post about Spike testing us, I should tell you that for the last couple of weeks, he has been sweet, sweet, sweet. Of course there is still discipline to be dished out once in awhile, but he's gone from several time-outs per day to one at the most. He usually responds to requests by saying, "Sure!" (which sounds more like, "Sir!") or "Alright!" Thank God his testing phases come and go quickly.

We just got back from our first Chicago Park District class of the season. (I love you, CPD!) We're taking a music class. Isaac didn't want to go at first, which surprised me, but I think he thought he had to go alone, and when I described what we'd be doing and that Anders and I would go along with him, he said, "Now I want to go to music class, Momma!"

We were the first ones there (I know, you're shocked, right?) and went to make ourselves acquainted with the room. Anders, in typical shy baby fashion, clung to me for the first 30 minutes. Isaac was excited that the room had a stage and quickly began performing for me.

The other mothers arrived--there are four of us all together--and we exchanged introductions. Isaac quickly made friends with a 4 year old girl named Sadie by simply running around the room while smiling at her.

The class isn't very formal in structure--the teacher follows the lead of the kids, sitting in a circle to sing when they're a little calmer and getting up to dance when they're being wild. Isaac totally bought in to the whole thing. He participated in the songs, danced like a crazy man to the music, stayed in the circle when the other kids ran around, acted out the pretend scenarios that the teacher suggested with gusto. He loved Sadie and Sadie loved him and they never left each others' sides throughout the class ("I wanna sit by her, Momma!").

At the end, the teacher had us lay on our back and sing "Twinkle, Twinkle" while looking at the imaginary stars. When the song was done it was quiet for a moment before Isaac loudly suggested, "Okay! Now let's play Buzz Lightyear!" Then, still looking at the chandeliers on the ceiling he got a super quizzical look on his face and said to the teacher, "Okay, so, how does this work?" She let him turn off the light switch for her.

There was one girl in the class who was acting majorly bratty. I try hard not to judge other parents when their kids act out because I've certainly been in those situations before, but what did bother me about this lady was how mean she was to her daughter, even in front of the rest of us. I thought, "Man, if someone were talking to me like that, I'd probably act like a brat too!"

I do lose my temper with Isaac sometimes, but I think overall I'm pretty nice to him. I try to listen to his needs, I don't embarrass him in front of others, I praise his good behavior and tell him how much I love him often, I express myself to him in a reasoned manner, explaining rules and consequences in ways he can understand. I think, I hope that the way I treat him is one reason that he's a sweet and friendly kid. When Isaac acts out, it's very rarely in anger--usually if he's being naughty he's doing it with a smirk on his face. :)

So today, and even for the last couple of weeks, it's one of those times that I am enjoying being a SAHM. I couldn't have done this class with the boys if I were still working my previous job. And seeing Isaac being engaged in the class and kind to the other kids made me feel like maybe I'm pretty good at this motherhood thing. And maybe that matters a lot.