A challenging day .... discipling my 3 (almost , by this fri) year toddler.
It's time for her afternoon nap and her previous activity before her afternoon nap was practicing her alphabet writing . Although she's ok to move on to her nap, she still wanted to hold her book and pencil case to sleep. I agreed.
But on her bed she wanted to to take her sharp pencil out and hold it to sleep. Naturally I refused to accede to her request. It's DANGEROUS!!!!!!
But to her , it was something she liked very much and didn't think any wrong of holding it to sleep.
So it was disciplining time.
I explained the danger and told her she can't sleep with it. At most , only her pencil case with the pencil INSIDE. She refused to listen.
Then , mummy had to use a harsher tone. She still refused.
Next, a smack on the hand. Gracia still refused.
A few more smacks on the hand. Gracia still refused.
Then, confiscation of pencil and pencil case. Gracia still refused with ballooning tantrum.
Alas, the ultimate, Ze CANE.
Mummy is getting increasingly frustrated but consciously trying to contain her anger. However mummy's tone cannot hide her mounting frustration coz she's wondering how to ever make her dear Gracia get the MESSAGE!!!!!
In the end, the cane did work although it was used on gracia's mattress .
Gracia finally slept ( after lots of reassuring hugs from mummy through her sobs)...... with her pencil case ( without the pencil)
The act of DISCIPLINING is really UNPLEASANT. But behind all the unplesantness , it's stems from a lot of LOVE from the one who is disciplining.
" No discipline seems pleasant at the time , but painful. Later on , however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. " Heb 12:11
It was a terrible episode just now, not just for Gracia, but also for Mummy!!! It was an exasperating experience for me!!!!! =P
It surely didn't have to escalate so much if only Gracia would just obey . Why I got so frustrated ? Coz I didn;t want Gracia to hurt herself with the pencil and also wanted her to have a good nap!!! The longer the tantrum episode, the more tired and cranky she'll get!
Just caused me to reflect upon how God disciplines us and corrects us. He gave us the bible to teach us the way forward in this wayward world and warn us againest things that would not be beneficial for us. But sometimes, in our stubborness we may just choose to disobey. Then God in his love for us, will thus have to escalate his disciplinary measures so that we can FINALLY get His message of love to correct us for our good......
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." Heb 12 :10
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and punishes everyone he accepts as a son " Heb 12 :4
dear Lord Jesus, please help me to learn to obey and trust you and your word for I know that you know best for me. Help me to always have a teachable spirit that is willing to change as you lead and guide me. Thank you for loving me so much that you will not give up disciplining me so that I will grow in holiness and wisdom.
