Yes, they sometimes throw tantrums. Yeah, they often don’t listen. They make messes. They break stuff. They hit their siblings. They refuse to eat what they just asked you to make…and then scream in hunger a few hours later.

They do all this and more…and yet, they are perfect. You understand that, right?

They are behaving perfectly like children. Children throw tantrums. Children make messes. Children don’t listen. Children are figuring out boundaries and needs and the volume of their voice. All of this is to be expected…in fact, the alarming thing would be if your child didn’t do any of these things.

As we’ve said before, your kids are doing their job. They are doing what kids do and have always done. And your job? Your job is to be patient and understanding. Your job is to help guide them into better behaviors as they get older, as they begin to understand cause and effect, consequences and responsibilities. Your job is not to take any of this personally, and it is definitely not to make them feel like there is something wrong with them for doing totally age-appropriate things.

Got it?

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