You're Seven Years Old!

Dear Connor,

Here is an example of the type of conversation you and I have on a regular basis:

You: Can I have a snack?
Me: No, I'm cooking dinner.
You: Can I have a cereal bar?
Me: I said no. You can see that I'm cooking right now. If you eat now, you'll be too full for dinner.
You: But I'm starving! [Even though you had a smoothie and bowl of pretzels 30 minutes earlier.] Can I have a peanut butter sandwich?
Me: NO.
You: Can I just have a spoon of peanut butter then?
Me: CONNOR, I SAID NO!!!

*sigh*

You are the most persistent person I have ever had to deal with, hands down. When you want something--be it a snack, screen time or to be allowed to stay up past your bedtime--you do not like to take no for an answer and sometimes/many times do what you want even after Daddy and I tell you that you can't. And therefore, the #1 thing that Daddy and I scold you for is not listening. When you look back on your childhood as an adult, you will probably vividly remember the countless times Daddy and I said to you in exasperated tones, "You have to listen when we tell you to do something! Why can't you listen better? You got in trouble at school for not listening again?!" (Or maybe you will have blocked all that out. Time will tell.)

There are dozens of articles about the challenges of parenting the "strong-willed child." You are definitely strong-willed and parenting you is definitely a challenge. You have an idea of the way things should be and when what we want doesn't overlap with what you want, you protest, argue, beg, whine . . . everything but say, "Sure, Mama, I'll do everything you just told me to do right away." :-P

I'm not going to lie. Being your mom can be frustrating and exhausting. Some days, it feels as if all we do is argue about what you want to do versus what I need you to do. But no matter how annoyed or angry I get at you, I want you to know that I am also proud of you. You don't just blindly follow rules for the sake of following rules; you consider and question them if they don't seem right to you. This obviously gets you into trouble at home and at school but I am proud of you for seeing things your own way. I am proud of you for always speaking your mind. I am proud of you for knowing what you want and not being afraid to fight for it. I am proud of your perseverance.

Those qualities may test my patience on a daily basis when I have told you to start your homework (for the tenth time!) but those same qualities will take you so very far in life. I can't wait to see where you go.

Happy 7th birthday to my smart, sweet and incredibly strong boy! I love you so much!

Love,
Mom