(he offically hates wearing diapers, but has zero interest in anything other than flushing the potty)every day i fight myself inside.
let him be 2?
or
teach him how to grow up.
YES.
or both.
whichever answer you like.
the answer everyone will say is "let him be 2!"
it sounds really good.
i know.
but really, there has to be a level of healthy boundaries somewhere.
"moderation in all things," my mom's voice chants in my mind.
laugh, cry, get irritated, or become irate.
those are my most common options of reaction.
right or wrong, they are on the front lines of defense.
laughing usually means he is not touching or breaking anything.
lately, i need more laughing.
did i mention he tore the cabinet off a week ago?
sorry annie, we're on it.
he threw a bottle of my nail polish on the tile floor yesterday.
i was so scared he was going to cut himself on the glass and then i'd have to deal with that too, that i didn't get angry with him.
i threw out my butt and leg and barricaded the spill off from KOO-JO the destroyer while i unwound toilet paper to clean it up.
it was a five year old bottle of 99 cent sally hansen clear polish that had a red tint from using it too soon on red toes.
it's a good thing it wasn't my deer valley and spice OPI.
i may have been angry if it was that.
i WOULD have been angry it it was that.
ironically, those are the moments i am most excited to share with sean in the evenings about our day.
those are the moments that have us rolling at the dinner table.
saying how cute he is.
how wild and crazy.
and they are the moments that i decide really didn't matter that much at the end of the day,
when he's fast asleep and perfect in his bed.
sometimes i'll just start hugging him tightly and kiss his gushy cheeks when i'm so frustrated i want to cry.
or i walk out of the room and pace the house trying to ignore the tantrum in the other room.
stopping to give him the time of day for his feelings seems to help.
everyone just wants their feelings to be noted.
right?
...
i really like the holes he has put into his jeans.
the dirt on his pants and hands is "so brennan."
but i'm glad she's not putting holes in her dresses.
yet. 
6 comments:
We have been taping samuels diaper to his bum for the last 4 months. but he has no interest in potty training. he loves flushing the potty and putting toilet paper in but thats it.
I just started reading "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" I'm not done with it yet but I've tried it and so far it has really seemed to help...to prevent or at least make the tantrumns less dramatic. If you don't want to buy it e-mail me and I'll give you the gist.
So I was thinking about my comment and realized that it kind of sounded like..."you sound like you need parenting advice, let me help you" When I really meant "I totally know what you're going through and I'm trying this..."
Oh the toddler years- the love/hate relationship with those years is what I remember most.
But even now sometimes I still have to look at em in her bed- all perfect & asleep- to be reminded of just how much I love her, and she's 8.
All I can say is that you're doing a wonderful job. Even when things feel out of control. Keep on keepin' on. The teacher in you knows that every child is so unique...what works with one, may or may not work with another. Really it's a big dose of trial and error. I have a 12 yr old, 8 yr old, and 6 yr old. Each one was a holy terror from ages 2-4. Things that worked with the oldest, failed miserably with the others. I wish I had some magic words that could make it easier on you. The toddler years are tough, that's all there is to it. But, you are a strong, wise, caring mother who loves with every fiber of her being. Nothing can beat that. Not even the terrible toddler times. Love you!! Thinking of you, keeping you in my prayers because I know you've gotta be exhausted.
Some days all you can do is walk away. But those days pass and it is worth it again. :)
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