04/09/2026
Judge me if you want butâŚ
If my kid has something and your kid wants it I am not making him share. A toddler doesnât really understand empathy and I donât want to teach him that his boundaries and autonomy arenât respected. Instead we practice taking turns or trading and talking about how making his own independent decision to share can feel positive.
I am also not forcing an apology out of him. And weâve had some TOUGH stages with hitting, biting, screaming and grabbing. Iâve found that he will ALWAYS apologize when he is ready and when he has had time to process what went down separate from the big feelings he was having in the moment. Instead I model empathy and the apology myself. And I do this while holding him close.
I am not going to be a circus performer for my kid. He can be bored. He can play independently. Thatâs the space for mental resiliency and imagination to go to work. I love to play with him, but itâs not my only job as his mom. I want to show him he can play while I workout, make dinner, work on my own art etc. I LIVE for our quality time but it doesnât mean I am protecting him from any amount of boredom.
I am NOT using a screen at a restaurant. And Iâm also not going to stick to Olive Garden or whatever else is deemed âKid friendly.â We go out to nice restaurantsâŚhe will sit at the table and enjoy the meal without screens even if it is more challenging for us. And I donât do the kids menu. There have been some really challenging (and loud) moments in some really nice places, but all that practice has us sharing small plates and chatting on a patio without losing quality time.
Iâm leaving everyone on read. Thatâs just the season Iâm in. Iâm wildly busy, so exhausted and giving everything I have to care for my tiny human. Iâm putting my energy where it NEEDS to be and sometimes that means Iâm missing your message.
Anyone relate?? đ
