We spent last week as a family on vacation (at least two of us were) in the southwest. One of us was taking what we hope will be the last exam for the next 10 years. So my son and I came along to see a new city and have a little get away. Here's the thing. Two-year-olds don't really enjoy get-aways. At least my particular two-year-old doesn't. He'd rather be in his own house playing with his own toys and sleeping in his own bed. And when asking nicely for those things failed to get him anywhere, he resorted to making our lives just as miserable as his apparently was. Our last two days were spent listening to a screaming toddler object (LOUDLY) to every. single. thing. that happened. I was tired, hot (it was a hundred and freaking five degrees there), and my patience quickly wore quite thin.
Since being home, things have improved. A little. Which leads me to believe that some of his acting out was because he was tired and out of his element. And the rest was because he's two. And that's not going away anytime soon. We do battle a hundred times a day. In the car he wants me to get the toy he's just thrown onto the floorboard. At mealtimes, he wants more bread without having taken a single bite of vegetables. At night, transitioning from play to bathtime is a guaranteed tantrum. He screams at the top of his lungs. Time outs are ineffective. He'll happily sit in his time out spot for 2 minutes. Take away a toy- he couldn't care less. Yelling and hitting aren't options (for me, anyway), so I'm at a loss. And my patience, unfortunately, has not improved much at all.
I've been through med school so I am not at all unfamiliar with feeling like a total moron. But parenting has brought that feeling to a whole new level. Just when you are starting to feel confident- you're in a routine, everyone thinks your kid is great, you're in a happily symbiotic relationship- they up and change the game. And you're back to bumbling idiot. I always thought that parents had until their kids were teens to find out how little they (the parents) know. But, it happens from day one. How do I handle this? Why do they do that? Am I doing it right? How badly am I messing up?
A month ago I was happy Mommy. Today I feel like crappy Mommy.
2 comments:
Anne... I think your a fabulous momma. You have a 2 year old and we all know what Chetty says "2 year olds are like terrorits & we don't negotiate with terrorists." He just pushing his limits w/you. Aidan has taken to the LOUD objections to just about everything and since I don't yell at him back... I whisper and he shuts up to hear what I have to say. I think whispering, he doesn't want to miss it. *hugs*
Anne, you are definately not a crappy mom. Your little guy is soooo lucky to have you for a mom. You let him do all kinds of things and he is very happy. The yelling will go away, most kids don't go to college screaming about nap time and bath time. Miss you all bunches!!!! meg
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