Loving the Strong Willed Child at 4:00 a.m.

I recently read an article from a mother about her daughter.  It was actually a devotional so this is a glimpse of just how deep I was digging for inspiration on loving a very determined little girl.  Please don't misunderstand- I love my daughter deeply, I just don't always like the choices she makes.  :)  The short writing spoke of a mother praising her adult daughter for the very qualities she used to curse when she was little.  So the past few weeks, as we wrestle with so many behaviors, I have searched for the gift in the messy.  This is easier said then done, especially at four o'clock in the morning.

The last three nights have been a little rough around here.  Sickness has paved the way and left a grumpy, sleepless mother in the wake.  We have had countless sleep issues her in the Berry household but they don't have much to do with having a 3 month old.
The problems encompass the other child, who shall remain nameless, having trouble staying in bed.  So "she who shall not be named" appeared approximately at the bedside this morning at 4:00 a.m.  And by the side of the bed means, balancing on the side-board, looming, silently thumb sucking and clutching a dingy, limp blanket.

She is stealth.
She is silent.  

After a racing heart returns to normal, a sleepy mother stumbles down the hall dragging her daughter back to bed.  In between the jostling of three year old arms and legs, a voice is heard.  "My bed is wet."

What? 


 Wet?

Never. Has. This. Happened.

Dumbfounded, I screech to a halt and whip around.  What.  Your bed is wet?  Through matted 3 day old dirty hair a mumbled yes is heard.

Why? bounces off the walls a little loudly.

Her response- "because Daddy gave me too much milk."  Ha- poor man never stood a chance.  Rounding the corner of her room only brought more surprise.  The sheets were stripped clean of a wet soiled bed and placed neatly in her hamper.  A glance back at her brought even more disbelief as a new set of dry pajamas replaced the wet ones.  To be astounded by the fact that the strong willed, determined three year old not only changed herself but changed her bed as well.  A simple tuck in under the sheets was all that was needed.  The very thing that drives me crazy in every day life, bought her independence and the will to see a job to the end.  The only thing she needed was a hug good night.

GOOD NIGHT!  Good night.  Good night? 

Can I dare have hope that this phase of strong will and determination will some day bring forth a successful young woman who lets nothing stand in her way?  Will the very determination that drives this momma wild- bring tears to my eyes in the years to come?  I smile as I write this and continue to realize that life with this little girl- no matter how much I want to pull my hair out- will never be dull.  For now, a prayer will be said for the day a praise can be sung for the strong will and an embrace can encircle the determined heart.