If you're ever in need of getting a boost in your mindful parenting, go to The Natural Child Project and read, read, read. I've started going there and picking out one article to read to remind myself of what I don't want to do, what I do want to do and why my children act the way they do sometimes. Tonight I read the article "One, Two..."Teaching Through Love Instead of Fear" by Pam Leo.

Here's what I really needed to hear tonight:
"Many parents see a child’s uncooperative behavior as a challenge to their authority. Once we understand that uncooperative behavior is usually caused by a child’s unmet need or an adult’s unrealistic expectation, we don’t have to take the behavior so personally."

"When children’s needs are met and nothing is hurting them they are usually delightful to be with. Whenever a child responds negatively to a reasonable request we need to look for the conflicting need."

"When we treat children in ways that take away their dignity we teach them how to take away other’s dignity."

Accalia is becoming more and more independent and I love it. I just don't always deal well with it when I'm tired or impatient. And I know when I'm not dealing well with it, when it's obvious Accalia wants to do something and there's no reason she shouldn't other than the fact that I just don't feel like it. It takes all my self control not to say "Nope. That's it. We're done. Because I said so." And lately I feel as if stopping myself from saying things like that is equivalent to dragging 700 pounds of rock up a steep hill. Not easy.

So, it really helps me put things in perspective to read a little of this amazing resource that Jan Hunt has put together.