Little Kids, Little Problems?

I’ve always disliked that phrase.                                                                                 I disliked it when my kids were little and some “well-meaning” older person said it to me when I was in the midst of a preschool crisis. I dislike it now- as the mother of four and the grandmother of 4 with years of parenting and teaching under my belt. Why does it bug me so much? Because it totally minimizes where I am (or was) at that particular moment. Any problem is a big deal when you’re in the midst of it. I do realize that the implications of bigger-kid problems are significant- what crowd they hang with, what college they choose, the person they marry. Big kids can have big problems with big consequences that affect their futures. But little-kid problems also shape the future. How I respond to a tantrum could set the tone for how I always respond to a conflict. Lack of sleep in the baby years can affect how I feel about myself and my role as a mom. Insecurity about what preschool to attend or what activities to choose can cause a lot of angst in a young family’s life as they begin to figure out what THEIR family life will look like. At that moment, those issues can feel huge because they impact the peace and happiness of our homes.                                                                                       I don’t agree that pint-sized people produce pint-sized problems.                        Every stage of life, from infancy to the elderly has its own set of challenges. And at that moment- those problems are important and big. That’s what The Mommy Mentor is all about.                                                           It is about respecting the age and stage that you are in – whether it’s the parent of a toddler, preschooler, or elementary school student. It’s about taking seriously the issues that arise in those times and providing some information and some inspiration to guide you through. It’s not about a one-size- fits all scenario, it’s about providing some basic tools that you can apply to your family to make your home the place you’ve always wanted it to be – happy, healthy, and hopeful for the future.  

Karen Wilkerson – TMM

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