Saturday, June 16, 2007

Well, today we went to Friendship Park in downtown Jax to start celebrating Father's Day weekend...and to get Shepherd out of the house because he was driving us batty with his non-stop talking! (In fact, if you look at the pictures, you'll see that nearly every picture that Shepherd is in, his mouth is wide open because he is talking!!)

This past week has been a tough one - Shepherd has been talking our ears off - I have had a headache daily (multiple times a day!) because of "word-overload"! Not only that, but he has developed a mind of his own...we knew this day would come, but we didn't think it would be so soon. Everything we say, Shepherd feels he has to analyze and determine whether he agrees or not. A few days I literally wanted to crawl in to a fetal position in a dark corner and suck my thumb - like I said....the incessant talking and newfound mind of his own is literally driving us batty! He also lied to us the other night and he stuck so firmly to his lie that it took about 10 minutes of both me and Chad sitting down with him and encouraging him to be honest until he finally admitted the truth. Chad and I were so dissapointed even though we knew that this day would also come....I guess we just didn't think it would be so soon. He apologized to both of us and even apologized to God. We've really been trying to teach him that when he disobeys or disrespects us as parents, that he is also disobeying and disrespecting God - that there is a line of authority that we all have to put ourselves under. I realize that is a tough concept for a 3 year old to grasp but he seems to be understanding a little. He has had a few opportunities to lie since then in order to avoid discipline and thankfully he has told the truth despite the fact that he knew he would get in trouble. On top of the incessant talking, he is also not sleeping much. For the past 3 days he has not taken a nap (due to talking to himself while he lays in bed), he is not going to sleep at night till 9:30-10pm (due to talking to himself while he lays in bed), and he is waking up at 6:30am every morning - and ofcourse as soon as he wakes up he comes running in to our room to wake us up. We have tried everything we can think of to get him to fall asleep faster at night, and either sleep later in the morning or at least play in the play-room quietly so that the rest of the house doesn't have to get up - but nothing is working!! And trust me - Chad and I are firm disciplinarians - we do not let him walk all over us or let him get away with things...which is another reason why I'm probably so exhausted because I feel like I'm disciplining him 24/7! Well, I obviousely needed to vent - sorry everyone! My next post will hopefully be much more positive!

On a much lighter note - Happy Father's Day to all you great dads out there!! I know it's mostly women who read my blog, but all of you women have awesome husbands and I hope they all have a wonderful day tomorrow!!

15 comments:

Adawk said...

I feel your pain, Amelia LOVES to talk. She will talk to me, her Daddy, our dog, the fish and herself.

Anonymous said...

What cute pictures! So sweet. Lindsey, we've had face the whole 'not telling the truth' thing too. And its hard trying to explain why we don't lie and what a lie even is to a 4 year old. SO I understand. Carter has only just started and we quickly disciplined him for it. I told him his punishment wouldn't have been so harsh if he would have told us the truth in the first place. It is very difficult, it makes my heart hurt.
You're a good mom, Lindsey!

Anonymous said...

Ya'll have the neatest places to go for walks, picnics, get-togethers, bike riding, etc. I love the pics. Sounds like Shep is keeping things stirred up a little. Can't wait to see you all! Love, Mom

Anonymous said...

Well you know of all people, I will understand what you're going through! Ha! I'm telling you, I was the mom who would always say, "My kid will never act like that!" Can I just say that I have eaten EVERY word of that! :) Justin and I are big on disipline as well, but when they are 2 and 3 years old, I honestly don't think it matters. That is their nature, to test you and to test the waters with everything! Just know that you are in good company! We are not the only ones honey! :) FYI - We just started an incentive chart with Jace and a treasure box. It is working wonders!! I don't believe in bribing your children, but there comes a time when incentives are the only things that work. You might try it if all else fails. When you get frustrated just remember that, "This too shall pass." Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but one day we'll look back on this time in their lives and we'll laugh at their antics. Love you girl! Keep your head up! You're a wonderful mommy to your babies!

Lindsey Eason said...

Thanks for the encouragement girls - sometimes it is nice to hear that I'm not the only one who struggles at times! I know that you all have wonderful kiddo's and to know that you guys get discouraged or frustrated some days makes me feel a little more normal. :)

Unknown said...

I wish that I could have some word of wisdom, but with a 9 1/2 month old, I just don't(we are learning the word "no"). Other than that keep praying, teaching, and quiet time (for yourself). I applude parents that inforce discipline because so many parents do not these days. Pleas share your advice while we go through this in about a year or two!

kristy said...

The pictures from Friendship Park are so cute! What a precious family!
I'm sorry that you haven't really gotten a break from all of Shep's talking, but, on a positive note, at least he's talking. I have a friend who was worried to death because her neice still wasn't talking. So even though it's exhausting, it's good to know he's a healthy, normal little boy who's growing and developing :) Hang in there. (I'm sure I will need the same type of encouragement from you in a year or two!)

Kimberly said...

What a little chatter box! Ha, gotta admit its kinda funny. Even though I can't imagine how exhausted you are. Don't worry we ALL can understand parenting isn't easy and no one has a perfect child! Good for you for sticking to your guns and trying everything instead of giving up. U are a super mommy and you'll have to let me know what ends up working so I can remember down the road. Till then, can you get some earplugs?

Anonymous said...

Hey Lindsey ... glad Shepherd is being verbal ... better than grunting or slapping you to get your attention :) I put some pics up on my blog and I'll put more in a day or two. Hope your week starts off with some peace and quiet. Maybe you can get Shepherd to do something productive with all the chattering - like take him to an old folks home. They love to listen to kids!

Michael and Hannah said...

Hey Lindsey!

Of course I remember you! Thanks for taking the time to say hi. Great blog - It's so multi-sensory! Your kids are beautiful! It's such a strange experience to see all these cute couples I used to see holding hands on campus at Harding posing with pictures of their families! God is good! It's so exciting to see His faithfulness. Sorry you're having a rough time with word-overload... I'm afraid I'm heading toward the same fate! Wesley has jibber-jabbered non-stop since he was a little baby. Fortunately, for most of the past year, it's all just been in his own language, so we just have to nod and smile. Just in the past few months he's really taken an interest in English as a language instead of Wesleyish, so all the sudden it's like, "Oh wait... that actually meant something." Now we have to actually pay attention to him when he jabbers, which takes a lot more energy! I'm sure I'll be pulling my hair out by the time he's three, but I know that he'll still be such a joy, as I'm sure Shep is to you. I look forward to checking in with you guys!

Mary Beth said...

Lindsey,
That is so funny that Shepherd likes to talk so much. I'm trying to imagine Caleb having so much to say someday. I'm sure someday you will miss his sweet little voice. Hang in there.

tleaf10 said...

ok the one earlier that said from the hicks was actually from me ... I was signed into Melissa's and forgot to sign back out...oops!

Lindsey Eason said...

Terri - - I think the old folks would run with their canes for their lives if they heard "Mr.Jabberwocky" coming their way!! lol!! Seriousely, though, that's actually a GREAT idea and I'm going to try to do that!! Thanks for taking the time to think of something productive to do with all of his thoughts and opinions!!

lauren said...

I'm with Kim, I want to take some notes because I know my time is coming! You are a wonderful mom, and it's so good to tackle it now, because I hear it only gets harder if you ignore it. I have an almost 3 year old niece who has tried out lying, so I think it is very normal. Regardless, they are such cuties, and I love the pictures!

Anonymous said...

It is funny that you can see Shep talking in all of the picutres. But he is curious and I know it is wearing you out. You will figure it out. You are smart and have done wonderful so far. Glad you had a good day at the park. Can't wait to see pictures from your camp out. Talk to you soon.