The Sunday Parenting Party

<center> <a href="http://www.tamingthegoblin.com/search/label/The%20Sunday%20Parenting%20Party"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/FJIJWl.jpg"/></a></center> Welcome to The Sunday Parenting Party. I am so pleased that there have been so many amazing posts linked up over the last week - Thank you. Please grab a button to display on your blog or post if you are linking up this week. That will help others to discover the link up and check out all the great posts. This week I'm linking up the following: ******

Up until about 6 months ago Goblin was a pretty easy kid to have around. He really didn't tantrum much and he wasn't particularly defiant. But as he is approaching three he has got a lot more determined to have things his way. Its understandable, he is finding his boundaries, he's using his new ability to communicate to let people know his desires, and he is wanting to use his skills of running and playing in the way he chooses and when he chooses, so he is no longer the compliant little lad that you can pop in a trolley and take around the shops. And Hublet and I are finding it increasingly challenging to find appropriate solutions to his acts of 'determination'.  I have never wanted to hit anyone. I don't think anyone should ever hit anyone no matter how big or small (except in the name of sport - I used to really enjoy kick boxing in my youth, but thats consensual hitting so its different).  The problem is that through Goblin's transition into a threenager*  he has thrown a spanner in the works because Sometimes I really want to hit my child! I know it sounds awful, believe me when I wrote it down I just wanted to delete it straight away. But I think we probably all need to be a bit more honest about the occasional urge to lash out at our kids. Admitting you have a problem is the first step right.  When you look at the cute pictures of Goblin being adorable you must think how on earth could I ever want to hit that little bundle of cute. But seriously no individual is quite as capable of winding you up as your own child. And sometimes, just sometimes, I am at a loss as to how to get through to my little ball of defiance, and when he does something dangerous that sends my emotions reeling I cannot help contemplating whether a whack would help him understand how serious the situation is. I don't hit him. I scream and shout at him and hold him firmly so he has to listen - and I know these aren't Positive Parenting techniques but lets face it you'd be a fictional character if you were able to live up to your ideals 100% of the time.  I don't hit him because just in time I remember that he is tiny, and he is learning. And I am his role model. Sure the screaming and shouting is seriously unhelpful and I am working on that. But when he is testing the boundaries or having a hard day and throwing a tantrum, my reaction should not be to hurt him. So I don't hit him, because hitting is wrong. It's what I tell Goblin and it should apply to me to.  But that doesn't mean I don't sometimes feel like I want to. So if you are trying to raise your kids without smacking, but sometimes feel its a struggle - you are not alone. 

*I stole the excellent term threenager from Child Led Chaos)

Right, now I have that off my chest, here are my favourite features from last weeks link up. You guys can grab an "I've been featured" button from my button page
The Power of 100 by Prickly Mom
Welcome to Positive Parenting by Positive Parenting Connection
Knowing by Twodaloo
Our Nightly Rhythm by Happy Whimsical Hearts

And now to the linky