Last night we drove to Opry Mills Mall and ate at the Rainforest Restaurant, a treat for the kids. This restaurant is like a rainforest version of Chuck E. Cheese, with robotic (but realistic) Gorillas and elephants that came alive every 15 minutes. A thunderstorm occured every half hour that including flashing lights, rolling thunder, and terrified animals. Lauren loved it, but it scared Reuben. We then drove to the huge Opryland Hotel, where we took a loooong walk to see all the lights and Christmas decorations. After that walk I understood that that problem with the incision wasn’t my belt, but was just irritated from doing too much. Healed on the outside, it still is sensitive on the inside. Boy, that really stings.

This morning Josh (my son-in-law) and I drove downtown to Gruhn Guitars with my Dad’s classic guitar. George Gruhn is the nation’s foremost authority on Gibson Les Paul guitars. He went over that guitar with a fine tooth comb, listed every possible blemish, and appraised it at $25,000. Not a bad investment seeing he paid $200 for it new back in 1953.

My 17-month old grandson, Reuben, is an active tow head and looks just like his Uncle Nathan when he was that age. But Nathan was very compliant, and Reuben wants to be in charge, just like his mother at that age. I’ve been very blessed to watch his Mom deal with this strong willed guy. She keeps a wooden spoon handy and will not allow him to throw a fit, which he tries to do quite often. But he doesn’t want the spoon so is learning to control his anger. I’m proud of them both.

Do you have experience dealing with a strong-willed child?

Tags: children, strong-willed