Ranting and Raving

It's been an interesting couple of days/weeks some big parenting wins with the binki gone and even more progress with behavior things like in stores and listening better, and then I turn around to have someone ask "isn't he around other kids?" And find out that others don't think my level of discipline is sufficient, it's so frustrating. I think Nate is wonderful, he does get over excited and loud - especially when over tired, and he's not around other kids that much but we are working on that, it's hard for kids to learn how to be around other kids without doing it. So frustrating, I wish I could explain how I feel better and make my expectations clear and feel that in our home we weren't under scrutiny from people who have different parening beliefs and strategies. I am strongly opposed to hitting or any corporal punishment and am lucky that Jake agrees with me on this. I have seen what it can do to a kid as they grow up and want better for Nate, I feel like my childhood was so blessed because I didn't have the fear that some kids grow up wih my parents didn't spank me or my sisters and taught us how to be well behaved by being kind and loving. That is my plan. It is t easy and I find I difficult to balance being kind and loving and still firm in expectations and rules, but I am studying and learning everyday how to be a better mom to my wonderful child. He is so special and so smart and loving and fun its hard to think anyone could see him any other way. Nathan is an energetic and fun almost 3 year old (one week away) he's bigger than most kids his age about 40lbs and with abs of steel and so strong- he's anything but chubby- and it's hard for him to reign in his excitement when he's with friends because he loves it so much. He struggles with being too physical with kids but is learning to be more careful and gentle especially with little or fragile kids. He is growing up so fast it's amazing to me how much he can mature in just a couple days and I swear some days I come he from work and he looks like he's grown an inch taller his 3T jeans are almost too short for him. I know this is a random rant but I had to get it out of my head and wanted to have it where I could look back and reprocess my thoughts and feelings.