Understanding.

We are really struggling with Colt and his behavior lately. Part of it is that he is a two-year-old boy. The other part, however, is very much frustration and anger. He gets frustrated, then lashes out with hitting, kicking, slapping himself, biting or pinching himself (or someone else, usually me!) and I am at a loss with how to handle it. Tonight, I wasn't understanding what he wanted out of the pantry and he reacted in this way. I (I'm ashamed to say) yelled back at him. I immediately regretted it as he began to cry. I knelt down and told him how sorry I was and hugged him while we both cried. How could I yell at that sweet boy? He is just trying to understand his world and help me understand him.  I don't want to pretend like I am always positive and have all my mess together, because I definitely don't. Tonight, as I lie here in bed, beating myself up for getting frustrated with my innocent toddler, I ask that you pray for us. I covet your prayers for understanding between the two of us. Also for patience and self-control. Ryan and I are his voice, his advocates. We don't need to be so short-tempered and that's going to have to come from something much greater than I.