Answered Prayers

Salvatore is full-swing in his "I can't" stage...and "I can't" stand it!  I know it is normal and I know it will eventually pass, but (remember, I was a History major-not a Child and Adolescent Studies major) I do not always know what to do about it.  Sometimes I ignore him, sometimes I comfort him, sometimes I walk him through whatever it is that he is afraid of or can't do, and sometimes I lose my cool.  Each approach has worked at times and failed me at other times.  Last week, he proclaimed with instant tears and a tantrum, that he couldn't walk down our three steps on the front porch, the same steps he mastered at 13 months old.  Fed up, I pulled another desperate trick from my sleeve.  I prayed for him, out loud with blessing myself and everything.  He stared at me for a moment, stopped crying instantly, thanked me, and proceeded down the steps.  Now, he wants me to "pray" for him every time we go down the steps.  O.K.  I can handle that.  When he started to throw a fit this morning while protesting against his filthy diaper getting changed, I prayed again.  Out loud.  With my eyes closed.  When I opened them, he was calm, smiling, and ready for his diaper change.  Now, "I can't" abuse this new wonder....must take it slowly and use it in emergencies only.  Thank God for certain answered prayers!

P.S. While he protests his diaper changing time, he has no interest or desire to potty train.  Missed that boat last year when I first slowly started to train him.  Oh well.  Lesson learned.