Outwitted, outsmarted, outplayed

Any working parent will tell you that the weekday morning rush is extremely rough once you throw kids into the mix. Children can be especially sensitive to changes in their schedules and often thrive on predictability. The side of this that makes life hard on us parents is that children themselves are not predictable creatures and have very individual needs, which has the tendency to launch a complete revolution when they’re pushed against their will.

Lately we’ve been fighting some enormous battles with Lauren when it comes to cooperating in the mornings. We routinely talk with her at bedtime about what we’re doing the next day in hopes she’ll wake up in a cooperative mood. I’m quickly realizing that my current approach isn’t working. I have a typical two year old, who at times is a bit more dramatic than other two year olds, and maybe a tad more stubborn or independent than others, but she still fits the range of what two year olds are. I understand my fears of not surviving toddlerhood with my kids are also very normal, but none of it is easier to deal with just because we’re like everyone else.

My simple goal of making sure to be one step ahead of my kids is already in jeopardy. My little Lauren has already outwitted me, outsmarted me, and outplayed me in many ways.