Parenting the Terrible Two Year Old

  I've been struggling lately to be a parent to my little 2 1/2 year old boy (Cadence - Cade for short)! I am grateful for this article - "Yes or No? - Parent Choices".
  Cade's favorite book is No, David by David Shannon. I bet you can't guess what kind of parent I am? I learned a lot about myself by reading the article and even more in the coming days as it heightened my awareness of my parenting style.
  In general, it left me reflecting again on how difficult it is to parent.
Growing up, I was famous in our family of eight children for being the one who asked questions like "Where does the red-brick road lead?" (watch Wizard of Oz again and it'll leave you wondering). Today I'm asking other hard questions (according to my husband) like "How do you teach respect while still being long-suffering and meek?"
Furthermore, I don't remember learning to talk. I don't remember learning how to sleep through the night. I don't remember learning to go to the bathroom. Actually, I barely remember learning what a half-note is, or how to play the piano. When I don't remember the process of learning something, how can I teach it to someone else? Does it really make a difference?
  With so many difficult questions, it's no wonder there are SCORES of parenting books! In fact, there are scores of books on any of the topics I've mentioned. How are you to know what is right for your family? How do you know what your child needs?
When my musings come to circles of though such as these, I am grateful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm grateful that because I have made sacred covenants with God (baptism) that I have the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide me in every decision. It is key to keep the Spirit of the Lord always with me. Is it my goal to make sure the toddler gets his nap no matter what? or eats his vegetables? or my newborn learns to sleep through the night? Not really. The main goal is to make sure that no matter what, I keep the Spirit with me, and follow the promptings I feel to bring my family closer to God.
Having said that, I know that the questions that I have are important to God (even little ones like teaching toliet training). I also know He has answered, and is always willing to answer, the questions I have, especially when they are in behalf of his precious little ones, who have a hard time communicating for themselves.
Then I step back and realize these are some of the feelings God has for me as His child, His precious daughter. It makes me want to listen more. It makes me want to be better. That is what family is all about.