What My Two Year Old (And I) Needed Most

Day 29 of 31 Days of Connecting

My son and I have been butting heads. He’s in the throes of the terrible twos and most of our conversations are conflicts. For example: “Go potty, Ben.” “No!” “Should I pull down your pants or should you pull down your pants?” “I do it.” (Tries, can’t) “Should I help you?” “No!” (I sit there) “You do it!!!” (I start to do it) “No I do it!!!” (he tries) “I can’t!!! You do it!” (I start) “Not the underwear!!!”

And repeat.

I’ve been so stressed about our relationship these days that I find myself wanting to pull away from him in order to avoid more fighting. Fighting. With a 2 year old. Who would have thought parenting amounted to this?

But then yesterday I remembered something I had read about these clashes of interests. About these scream matches and tantrums. When it seems my son wants nothing to do with me, that is when I need to hold him close.

So this morning, even though we had to get ready to go, we sat together. We were still. I don’t remember how he got on my lap, but once he was there, he stayed there. I put my face in his hair, he leaned into my chest, and we just were.

Still.

Silent.

For ten minutes.

In those moments of stillness, of ceasing from running from one activity to the next, of remembering that I am his mama, of noticing that he needs me, of treasuring him, I thanked God.

He is still my son.

Nothing will ever change my love for him.

Not even the terrible twos.

Look at how good and pleasing it is
    when families live together as one!

Psalm 133:1 CEB

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This post is part of the larger Five Minute Friday community found on Kate Motaung’s blog. We write, for five minutes, together. No major edits. No second guesses, just writing to connect, to grow, to be. Today’s writing prompt: Still.