struggles magee.

I am amazed that every single day, something new happens. Whether it be Sophie attempting a new word, or Emma figuring out a new trick (like snapping her fingers!) - I am in humble disbelief at these seemingly simple tasks. This is one of the parts of parenthood that has always left me sort of puzzled.. how we can be *so* amazed by watching these little humans do these little things, that to adults, are every day simplicities. Like putting one foot in front of the other, and making your body move forward - or picking up a spoon, putting it in your cereal and then bringing that spoon to your mouth. No one applauds me and says "good girl, Katie.. your such a good girl!" when I eat MY cereal hahaha!! However, here I am - smiling and urging Sophie on to use her own utensil :) Then there are moments like the one that just passed - where Emma goes from sweet little 4-year-old to raging and angry 14-year-old, and talks to me like she knows everything about the world and how it goes. I know things need to change, her attitude is horrendous and 'your' right - it's embarrassing. I hate to admit that there should be lines there, because I so badly want to raise her as an independent thinker, and a free soul - but when it comes down to the bottom line, I am her mother and her single care taker... which means there needs to be a level of respect there. Don't get me wrong, there is for the most part - but some days, I wonder where I've been floating around to have missed this transformation and I find myself thinking "did I give birth to an 10 year old who is now 14!?" My consistency and tactics need to change, and so today is day one of LDTL (lay down the law) bahahaha OH that is funny. I honestly think I'm hilarious - that is by far the best thing I've come up with. LDTL... genious. So we've already started, TV is off for the day because of a break down and I'm sticking to it. I think my biggest struggle is consistency - because somewhere down the line of my punishment I start to feel guilty, and start letting things slide. So now, I'm going to change that. Wish me luck!