Friday, July 21, 2006

Sickness and Discipline

Lately Meredith has been under the weather. That, combined with the fact that she’s getting a boatload of teeth all at once, has resulted in her being especially fussy, needy, and clingy.

I’ve enjoyed the opportunities to cuddle with her, actually. She’s typically not a very cuddly baby by nature.

The other day we sat out on the backyard swing for about an hour. Every time a bumble bee buzzed by, she would lift her finger and say, “bug.”

Then, last night, she sat on the couch with me for 30 minutes and we watched one of those home-improvement shows. I couldn’t believe she sat there for that period of time! What happened to my bouncy daughter?

I’ve had a hard time being discerning with her, the last few days, when it comes to the issue of discipline. I feel really badly she’s in pain and have been catering to her a lot. Today I feel like she’s been taking advantage of this situation and has been bratty, knowing she can get away with it.

Sigh ... Knowing how and when to discipline a sick child is more challenging than I realized.

6 comments:

Micah said...

Wow! You took the words right out of my mouth!! Kathryn has also been sick (and pampered!) and is getting in at least 4 teeth right now. Every night (but especially recently) Brad and I have been praying that He would give us extra wisdom knowing when to discipline and when to cuddle. She has been so whiny lately, and is really starting to test us in so many ways with our consistency! What a challenge this time has been!

JoMama said...

I do think I remember Kevinicus saying that...

Anonymous said...

You need to discipline her BIG TIME! Show her who's boss and that she shouldn't be sick anymore! That’ll teach her!

Anonymous said...

hmmm... wondering if tuckster has any children...

Anonymous said...

I know he has at least one...

the Joneses said...

Obviously you can tell the difference between I-don't-feel-well and I'm-being-a-brat, so you probably don't have much to worry about. But times like these remind us that, oops, we don't have it all figured out so we'd best pray through it.

I've found that Daddy can enforce the discipline that I neglect, and end up with a child cuddled happily at the end. Last week, after a tremendous battle with a very tired Stuart, Darren sang him to sleep on his lap.

-- SJ