Conversations with a 4.5yr old

I raised my voice at Nadya this morning.

I'd spoken to her normally for many times. I asked her to get changed and brush her teeth. For a good 5-6 times I think. Or more. With intervals of several minutes in between each reminder.

I eventually raised my voice. I eventually dressed her up myself. She insisted on waiting for K to get home though, before she would brush her teeth.

Later on, when she was finally ready to head out, I asked her why is it that each morning is a battle to get her ready for school? I told her that she was almost 5 and that she should be doing all these on her own already. She didn't respond but I knew she was listening.

I told her too that when I speak nicely to her, she doesn't listen and doesn't do what is requested of her. Even if I repeated myself many times. I asked her if she would only do things when I finally got angry and lost patience. To this she finally responded with........

"Even if you don't want me to give you a hard time, you don't need to behave that way."

Her exact words.

Coming from a 4.5year old.

I still have much to learn as a mother. Patience is one big thing.