Being a parent requires patience. I always knew this, but it hasn't
really manifested itself until lately. There isn't much reason to lose
your patience with an infant - they don't purposely take their time with
anything.
However, a two year old is much
different. My son takes his time doing things. I ask him to put away his
cars, and he does, but he has to do it in a very precise way. The cars
have to drive over to the toy box, or they have to park in the garage.
There is no reason for me to rush him, I just want him to clean up so he can take his nap. But I still want him to do it as quickly as I would. So, as I was feeling frustration with him the other day, I realized that I had NO REASON to be frustrated with him. He was obeying, but he was doing it in his own way. He wasn't procrastinating either. The toys just had to go into certain places in the toy box, and sometimes the toy fell out, or went somewhere he didn't want it to go, so he had to move it . . . again.
As frustrating as it was to watch him, I refrained from doing his job for him. I also prayed and repented of my sin right away. I had no reason to be impatient or upset with my son. He is two, and he was behaving like a two year old.
I just heaved a big sigh and waited while he finished cleaning up his toys. I need to remember that this time will go by quickly, and to cherish the moments I have with him. I need to remember to be patient with him, as my Heavenly Father is patient with me.
