He's pretty cute, huh. I should probably change the title of this post before Child Protective Services comes to get me. Well, anyone want a 2-year old? He's cute, has sweet blue eyes, loves animals, loves trains, loves Elmo and Thomas, is super smart, and gives great kisses. I feel as if I should warn you about his few faults: he screams like a howler monkey many times a day, has stopped saying "yes" altogether (it was "yesh"), hates to be put to bed, hates to get out of bed, hates to eat when he's supposed to, begs to eat when we can't, bosses his older brother and sister around, wants to swing on swing for hours, thinks every toy in the house is his.....are you getting the drift?
I have never had a really bad "terrible two" kid. Parker was awful at three, Emi at four, but you COULD sort of reason with them. This is unreal. Today has been legendary bad. He had 4 time-outs and 5 tantrums in the first 45 minutes of my day. It seems that the more I sit down with him and give him undivided attention, he becomes bossier and even more demanding.
I know, I know....what am I doing having a fourth? I'm asking this same question right now. GRRRRR!
I will take any and all advice on keeping 2 year olds calm. I love this little strong-willed creature, but he's wearing me down! I don't mean to be a complaining person, just venting and seeking advice.
11 comments:
Sorry - I've got nothin'... My best way to handle it is to get away for some retail therapy. Maybe there is some strange cosmic thing going on today because Scott and several other children I know are having REALLY rough days today. Full moon? Swine flu? Who knows?
Scott was also a disaster at two, mainly because that was when Charlotte was born. Why do you think there are 3 years between Charlotte and Trevor? I say many times a day, "It is a good thing (fill in the name) is cute or else..."
I say take a vacation and leave Bill at home with Quinn :) I'm feeling your pain but with my 1yr old. We've recently started the tantrums. It is draining!
Oh Goodness . . . I feel your pain! Having a two year old is tough anytime . . . but while you are pregnant it's CRAZY! Caleb was two when I was pregnant with Luke, and I remember having the same feelings that you do. Liam was never like that so it was new. I did it again however this last time, when I was pregnant with Claire -- Luke was two (You think I'd have learned!). The thing that helped me through was knowing that I had done it before and survived -- so I could do it again! I had a friend tell me that I needed to set my expectations REALLY low, that way I would be happy with the bare minimum and pleasantly surprised when anything remotely good happened. (p.s. I'm still applying this concept for this first year with four kids.)
I loved Stacey's comment . . . I think she's right -- pregnancy and two year olds just don't mix. period.
So sorry sweet friend . . . hang in there :)
I'm just here to hear others' advice . . . I totally relate and I have no answers. I know what DOESN'T WORK: time out, sticker charts, serious talks, bribery, and threats.
distraction, distraction, distraction. We use this major at our house. John is the best at it. I tend to get caught up in the drama of the moment, but he has a way of pointing out something (anything) that will get the little monster's attention and somehow they calm down pretty quickly...
Do what I do...pick them up and shake them really hard. This works best for infants, but can be effective for toddlers too.
Wanna trade for a cute 1 yr old who is clingy, doesn't nap, screams at the gym and basically ruins my life--oh he's really cute--you'll hardly know he's there.
Good luck. I don't know why we have kids. Today is not a good day for me. More diet coke is always the answer.
OMGosh!! Reading your post tonight is like seeing my every day with Chachi! I can't get a handle on it either and none of mine others were THIS unreasonable and stubborn! Let me know if you find something that works because at this point... I will try anything!!
I totally echo Karen's comment.....they are just plain unreasonable creatures at this moment in their lives....so just be as unreasonable as you can be right back. Seeing a singing dancing pregnant momma oughta do the trick....get theatrical and melodramatic. If nothing else it will help you release some of your own pent up frustration. If that doesn't work and you are still feeling like strangling the kid....well Bill has the answer for that.
Hey, even though it has been a while since I have had a 2 year old, I can recall a lot of those emotions. (Also, teaching a class of 10 to 13 5 year olds with Down Syndrome and ASD's brings back a lot of memories!)
One thing that sounds silly maybe, but I think it helps (I still sometimes do it with my 9,14,and 16 year olds!) is to go in and watch him when he is asleep and just cherish that angelic face while it ISN'T doing anything that makes you want to slap his backside. (Not saying you DO that ;)
But my very best advice is to make sure you get some MOMMY TIME every week. I think having a regular thing (scheduled if possible) is really better than thinking you will "just do things as they come up". For me personally, it is a lot harder to justify doing something random than something I have planned. You have to recharge your own batteries before you have the energy to dish out all the love and patience it takes to be a mommy 24/7!
You are a great mommy Liz. Keep up the good work!
I've got nothing for you. If you have any advice on the same behavior in teenagers I'd like some of that?
My suggestion is to go stare at him while he sleeps. Isn't he just an angel? And keep reminding yourself that someday he will grow out of this. I'll pray for you in the meantime!
Post a Comment