As I look back over the years and analyze how I am with my third son at 4 years old versus my first two at that age, I sometimes wish I could have been the mom I am now for the older two at 4 years old. I try not to beat myself up over it.  I remind myself with each kid different milestones were occurring and siblings were being born.  I was a newbie to the mom thing when the first one turned 4.  Nearly a decade of parenting has seasoned me to become more laid back, less helicopter, and possibly less nagging.

I credit the books I have read, lectures I have attended, and shows I have watched.  Some of the nuggets I keep replaying are:  (I can not remember who to credit these to)

1.  Some of the the biggest battles we have with our kids are over 3-5 minutes of time.  They just want to read one more book with you.  Just do it!

2.  Have an 80/20% rule for your kids.  Make them do something 80% of the time and you just do it 20% of the time.

3.  You need to let them stumble in order to succeed.  We should all learn from our mistakes.

So I like the parent I am NOW even though I know bigger battles are to come.  I hope I continue to become seasoned and molded in order to deal with the challenges that will present.  I also hope and pray that the parent I was for each child during each milestone was the parent they needed.  And as much as I wish it were different, I pray it was the way God intended it to be.