Respectful Daughters

I realized something this past weekend. I was talking to another mom who told me her 7 year old niece will not let her mother do her hair, but will sit still for anyone else (among other things). I immediately thought, "Wow, that little girl has no respect for her mother!" And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. MY daughter has little to no respect for me!

She's only 2! When did that happen!?

It happened when I used the excuses:

"She doesn't understand, she's too young."

"She's just 2....all 2 year olds act like this."

"She's just a headstrong, difficult girl."

It happened when I figured it was just easier to let her go than correct her, especially as I battled through this past difficult pregnancy. Not only was I floored most of the pregnancy, but hubby was sent away for work. No one corrected her.

Yet, even now, I find it easier to chide her brother not to tease her than teach her the self discipline to not scream her head off at every little instance.

She IS just 2. She IS a headstrong, difficult, strong-willed, self-willed girl. But 2 year old, headstrong, strong-willed girls can still be respectful, loving, caring and unselfish.

And it starts with me and it starts today.