Sinful Man

Here's a snapshot of this morning:

I'm sitting at the table eating cinnamon LIFE and checking my email. Graham is playing on the floor by the TV. He has a stack of DVD's there that I let him look at and re-stack. Behind our TV is a tall, potted plant that I use to mask (sort-of) the jumble of cords. G is NOT allowed to mess with the plant.

1. I hear Graham banging on the metal planter.
2. I peek over the edge of the table to see him stick his hand in the dirt.
3. I say, "Graham! NO SIR!" loudly.
4. He is startled and jumps.
5. He starts digging faster because he knows I'm coming to get him.

Anyone who says one year olds are too young to discipline are sorely mistaken! G-man knows exactly when he's doing something he's been told not to do. Sometimes it's so frustrating to correct the same behavior over and over and over.  Sometimes it's just hilarious how he tries to get his plant digging in really fast before I can stop him. I know we're just at the tip of the iceberg in discipline and I'm not looking forward to tackling the bigger issues. I'd be happy to stick with "no touching the DVD buttons" and "we don't play with the trash can," but we've already ventured into "we never hit Mommy" territory.

It's amazing how kids just know how to be deceptive or manipulative or selfish or aggressive without being taught. It's just part of our human wiring. And I know there are a lot of people out there who would disagree and say that kids aren't the problem, we're the ones who taint their perfection. I wish that were true, but sadly, it's not. And that's why I look forward to the day when this broken world will be made right and there will be no need for discipline. Until then, though, I'll just do my best to teach Graham to be kind and gentle and gracious. And to keep his hands out of the plants!