They are beginning to strive for independence and mastery which becomes a blessing, if we understand what is normal, from abnormal as parents. The assertiveness and the aggressiveness, is allowing them to grow into normality. So they want to achieve feelings of autonomy, where they don’t need to have you watch them go to the bathroom, or walking around the house, they can begin to do some things on there own. Discipline is beginning to become real and if proper the child grows without undue stress.
The feeling of the Spirit is beginning to grow as well, they are knowing right from wrong, and feel great and will even tell parents, that is good, or that is bad. They are also learning to tolerate frustrations, falling down and getting right back up. Or wetting there pants and knowing it was not ok , because they are becoming self confident, and don’t want to deal with shame, but solve it.
One of the areas parents need to be mindful of is basic traumas. Habit training -either to lacks, or severe of discipline, as in relation to toilet training, eating and anger. Interference with independence and mastery; over protection. Faulty handling of rage and aggression, by being to sever of restrictions, or excessive permissiveness. Too great, or to little emphasis by parents on rights of other family members. Very difficult to not show favoritism. Like what was shown to Joseph with the coat of many colors. Be care to respect all within the family, as special people. Interfering with investigative and exploratory activities, like trying new things needs to be limited. They need to grow naturally and parents need to use caution. Interference with genital manipulation, when it is normal at this age. Unconscious encouragement of rebellion by parents, alternating with excessive punishment. We need to know the difference of provoking our children to wrath, to provoking them to good works.
One needs to be aware of symptoms of adoptive breakdowns; like gastro-intestinal disorders, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea. Then Speech disorders, stammering, stuttering, and murmuring. Bowel and bladder disorders, like soiling needs to be dealt with, by understanding and love. There could be personality disorders like rage reactions, withdraw reactions, excessive dependence and disturbing identity that needs to be seen by medical personal at times.
We are seeing the child at this age developing in all the senses of the body, soul and spirit, to where personality is becoming real. A babies senses can be enhanced or stymied, by what we do, and say, or don’t do, and say. It is awesome, to think that a child’s life, is based on rather we as parents are responsive, and responsible, for all the needs to support life to its fullest.
If we as parents are going to train up our children right, we must know when to discipline and what type to use. When do we start to discipline? How often is it needed? What are going to use, a paddle, switch, the hand, or words? What kind of attitude do you have, as your disciplining? What did you say to dispel fear of the consequence of wrong? These are just a few questions parents must ask themselves.
We as parents are going to reap what we sow, and when we look at the way our parents raised us, how did they punish us? Do you think you can do better? It takes skill, dedication, wisdom and understanding, to raise a family. Be careful to not take anything for granted. We have to work at that which is right, not according to society, but according to the Bible.
One can look at nature and see a parallel, note the weeds all around; do we have to cultivate them to get growth? NO, we need to get rid of them at any cost, or they will completely take over and ruin that which is good and profitable. The difficulties in life need to be addressed and it is certainly going to cost, but the rewards are going to benefit one for a life time.