Going better

A new day has dawned and it appears to be a better one than yesterday. Today math has been completed with not a bit of yelling, screaming or hitting (from anyone, though I'm referring to Stella performing these things.) Do you think it's because I "laid down the law"? I'm not that idealistic, I believe that a different Stella emerged from her bed this morning, one that didn't mind doing a bit of math before playing. It would be nice if we could only do schooly things on days when she's of a mind to do them, but sadly, if I waited for that day, it would never come. Once she figured out I was waiting for that day, she'd be SURE it didn't happen.

You see, Stella is a strong minded kid. She knows what she wants. She will do whatever it takes to get what she wants. If you described a CEO that way, people would praise her (probably him, but let's break the mold, shall we?) But in a 7yr old, people see a defiant child who needs to be put in her place. I see a person who needs some guidance as to how to get along in society. For instance, if you don't want to go to the store, even though we need, say food, sometimes you have to suck it up and go. It is completely fine to say you don't want to go. It's ok to not want to go, even to HATE going. But you cannot hit people just because you don't want to be at the store. I'm not trying to change her thinking, just her way of expressing herself so that she doesn't so negatively impact others (and herself - seriously, who wants to be around a raging tornado?)

It all sounds good in theory. In practice, it's touch and go. But today, I'm going to enjoy the kinder, gentler Stella that has graced our presence :)