Anyone Have Advice About "PATIENCE?"

Lots of good advice so far, so I am going to jump in with something very different. I was never a very patient person and however I believe you can train yourself to kind of pretend to be patient, in reality you will be who you are. For me the most important thing is to LET myself be impatient every now and then. Not to feel so terribly guilty about it. To say ' it's ok. I am only human. There is only this much I can stand. A friend of mine used to tell me (when I was being impatient in my pre-children life) - "patience is a virtue", and I would always reply - "yes, but not mine". Try to get as much time for yourself as you can, and do as many nice things for yourself as you can! If you are more relaxed and pleased in general, it will be easier for you to be patient. Good luck!

I loose my patience but i started something...when the kids get to me i give my self a time out...i wish i could get a min per my age but just 5 min is good and i also make sure to schedule alone time with my self once a month and also a date night for my husband and i it give me something to look forward to and let me relax more..........

Ahh L.,
I had to read the responses so I could learn too! With two now school aged kids I tell everyone the greatest thing they taught me is patience! It is hard sometimes to remember they can not help needing us at the most inopportune times:) That part never seems to change! For me it was the deep breaths counting to 10, then I would think of one funny or kind thing the child had done that day! That gives me the strength to deal with them in the way need a MOM-nuturing, teaching and loving! Oh believe me some days it is really hard to put the patient happy face on:) But we all have to because we love our kids!

I think you need some "me" time. I remember feeling guilty for being away from my daughter...but you have to take care of you before you can take care of someone else.

hi L.,
all moms know how you feel!!
as a former teacher, patience was a BIG part of my commitment to the children.
remember to see the world through your child's eyes. your son is experiencing life for the first time. he is curious and wants to understand what is going on all around him. it is important to know that the first 7 years of his life are the most formitive. these are the years in which he masters language, mobility, as well as fine motor, social, and numerous other aspects of life.
if you would like to message me about specific instances, i could probably give you some insight on how to handle specific situations. i'm not saying i know it all, but i do have experience when it comes to children.
have a great day!
and know-you are a good mom! we all are impatient at times.
M.

L.,

Monica is right. First, we all get impatient - probably more often than we would like to admit. Second, a big part of being patient with a toddler is understanding that your child is exploring and learning. He doesn't already know his limitations, what is expected of him, how to work things, etc.

I have also found that I sometimes need to change MY way of doing things and be more prepared. For example, if getting out of the house to go to a play date was a situation where I would typically lose my patience because my son "didn't cooperate" with getting his diaper changed and putting on his clothes, I had to find a way to make that less stressful for each of us. I would lay out the supplies the night before and give 15 EXTRA minutes to get ready for the play date. I would also find a way to make a game out of the process.

If I feel myself losing my patience and a situation is escalating, I put my kids (ages 3 and 1.5) in a safe place (childproof room, crib) and walk away for a few minutes (not so far that I can't monitor them). I might grab a quick snack, sit down and close my eyes, read a page in a book or simply count to ten and regain my composure. Then I go give them each a big hug and a kiss and move on. I apoligize if I need to. I discuss the situation with them if appropriate. Of course, at their ages they don't really have anything to add to the discussion but I am trying to model how to manage emotions, how to communicate with others when you are sad or mad, and how to say "I'm sorry".

If all else fails I repeat these words that I once read on a wall plaque - "God grant me the patience to endure my blessings."

Best of luck to you.
L.