Playgroups – beneficial at X.’s age?

At times, I wonder if X. really needs to go to playgroups. He does not really interact much with the other kids, usually not at all. Of course, research has recommendations that go both ways – that kids at his age benefit, or not benefit.

I am frustrated at times with the superficiality of the relationships I have with the mothers at these different playgroups. I just got one last minute cancellation from a mom for a reason that simply baffles me. So, so unbelievable. I ask myself, do I need to go through all these hassle?

I think I will stick to public libraries’ organized story-telling sessions and the like. Enough of the hassle of working around frivolities and lack of responsibility/commitment. If not for Xuanie, I couldn’t even care less.

Tantrums

X. is having unexplained tantrums more frequently. Wailings that drive himself into greater hysteria that can last for as long as he wants. When it happens, shouting at him is a more frequent first response than trying anything else.

That is a bad strategy.

While touring a daycare facility yesterday, I saw a quote about caring for children. One of the lines says to remember how little they really are. Little Xuanie . . . I must try new strategies, no more shouting at a hysterical baby. I don’t want to do any harm to his emotional development, shouting at a crying baby is not good.

My role now is a stay home MOTHER. I need to work on myself to make myself a better mother.

To Conquer

A warrior of the light notices that certain moments repeat themselves. He often finds himself faced with the same problems and situations as before. He becomes depressed. He begins to think he is incapable of making progress in life, the difficult moments having returned.

“I’ve already been through this”, he complains to his heart.

“It is true, you have been through it”, replies the heart. “But you never went beyond it.”

The warrior then understands that the repetition of experiences have one single purpose: to teach him that he has not yet learned. He begins to seek out a new solution for each repeated struggle – until he finds a way of conquering. (Paulo Coelho)

Woke up this morning realizing that in so many times, so very often, I am still the selfish, short-tempered, unkind person I have been. Towards family, towards myself . . . the challenge now is to find new ways to conquer.