Silly me... I thought Monkey started acting like a terrible two-year-old somewhere around 18 months. Little did I know what he had in store for me...
Since his birthday a week and a half ago, it's like someone flipped a switch, and he started having MORE tantrums with LESS reason behind them. Like this morning, I THINK he was upset that he didn't get the sippy cup that he wanted. Not that it's easy to tell, because when you ask him if he wants Pooh or Elmo, he responds with "Pooh Elmo." Um, yeah, they haven't made that cup yet, kiddo, I'm asking you to make a choice. And does receiving the "wrong" cup REALLY justify a five-minute screaming tantrum? Apparently it does...
I'm learning, though. I'm learning that if I ignore the tantrum, and go about my business (after assuring that Monkey is in a safe place where he's not likely to get injured if he decided to flail around a bit), the screaming AT me turns into screaming FOR me, and when I go back in, his arms are outstretched, wanting his Mommy, and he quickly calms down, telling me that he was "crying," in case I hadn't noticed. So, it's a start, but I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to tweak the technique when he inevitably throws a fit in public.
It's so disheartening to me when he throws a fit within like half an hour of getting up - it just seems to set the tone for the day for me, and I need to get past that kind of thinking, or we're gonna have a LOT of bad days over the next year or so. And I keep telling myself that I have to stand my ground and not just give in to what he wants, so he doesn't become spoiled. It's hard, though, particularly when Monkey is one of those kids who tends to hyperventilate when he gets really upset, and sometimes passes out. I've talked to his doctor, and read up on the subject, and I know in my head that the temporary passing out is just his body's way of protecting itself, and forcing him to take a breath, but that doesn't make it any easier to watch the handful of times that he's done it. So far, knock on wood, he has only done it once as a result of being purely upset, as opposed to injured, and I just pray that he never tries to use it as leverage.
Anyway, so as not to end on a totally down note, what are some of the good things that the Twos have brought? I think the highlight is that Monkey's communication continues to improve by leaps and bounds, and he is repeating and seemingly understanding SO much! When I was dropping him off at day care the other day (where he's in a new room), one of the teachers said to me, "He has older siblings, right?" Somewhat confused, I told him no, and asked why he thought that. He responded that Monkey is very bright, and has great communication skills for his age. That's so nice to hear, especially when I think back to the days I thought he would never say "Mommy." I still think he's probably in the middle of the pack as far as kids his age, and he is still difficult to understand at times, but it's always reassuring to have someone give that kind of a compliment.
3 comments:
Oh, I feel your tantrum pain!!!! Jack also throws tantrums for no apparent reason (WHAT in your life is so rough, dear child??), and he also requests thing that are impossible. My favorite is "Mickey Train" (when we ask him what TV show he wants to watch, he invariably requests a hybrid of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Thomas the Tank Engine. Dream on!). Even if we ignore him, Jack can go on for an hour, screaming and screaming until he pukes. He's the worst after naps. We've found that reading to him usually helps. I can't wait for this stage to pass!
How awesome that Monkey received such a nice compliment at day care! Oh, and your comment about the days when he wouldn't call you "mommy" reminded me of how I also used to worry about how Jack didn't address me by name. No worries anymore. Jack will now stand there and yell "Mommy" every second if I don't pay attention to him. Sigh!
YUP!! I feel it too! Jul has been moody, cranky, screaming, and throwing tantrums more and more the last few weeks. DRIVES ME INSANE!!! I know that more than half of it is because HE knows what he wants to do, but I flippin dont!
Jul does what Jack does... screams til he pukes. Which is always fun!!! Especially on OATMEAL day! hahahahahaah
It does get better! One day you will wake up and he wont be nearly has hard to handle as he is now. I am counting down for that day myself. And for the day he sleeps past 7am! LOL
How sad is that you guys have me actually wondering whether puking is better or worse than passing out??
Oh, and Beverly, I totally get the string of "Mommy"s, too - funny how it doesn't sound as endearing when repeated 100 times, huh?
And Monkey has also come up on a variation on the hybrid request - he now wants to dictate the order in which The Wiggles sing certain verses on their CDs. If you're familiar with the Hot Potato song, they sing about hot potatoes, cold spaghetti, and mashed bananas, IN THAT ORDER. Well, as soon as they move on to cold spaghetti, Monkey is clamoring for more hot potatoes. It's bad enough repeating the song ten times, but when we can't even get past the first verse? Sigh...
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