It's official. The twos were a non-issue. It's the threes that make me want to jump off of a bridge some days! And as someone who has cared for children all of her life in some form or another and LOVED working with every age group, I thought I would be more prepared to deal with the not-so-fun realities of parenting. But there is no frustration like the one you have with your own child when it wears you down. And, it seems, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING can set it off.
Case in point: Walgreen's the other week. An innocent trip to find some battery-powered personal fans before heading out to the Magic Kingdom on the hottest day of the year (don't ask why!). She finds a bouncy ball that she NEEDS, and Mommy says no. She then pulls on her friend's shirt and makes her cry. Then she loses it at the checkout (where I had to immediately head after the shirt pulling incident) because I will not buy her a piece of candy that is possibly the worst choking hazard ever. At that point (the kicking, screaming, crying, red-face, arm flailing, crazed tantrum-mode), I had to pick her up and apologize to the clerk at the counter and the other people in front and behind me in the line. There is no being rational or explaining rationale. None. She doesn't care why; she just wants to freak out. Took about 20 minutes for that one to settle....
Exhibit B: Ellie is watching Netflix in her playroom (with every toy imaginable + flat screen TV + Wii/Netflix + every kid's show or movie DVR'ed and taking up all the space on the Dish Network) while I am fixing her a delicious and healthy meal in the next room over. It is awfully quiet in the playroom but since one of her favorites is on, I am under the impression that she is just avidly watching. I have the meal all ready and go to give it to her when I notice something on the beige colored carpeted floor. As I survey the room I find navy blue and yellow NON-WASHABLE crayon all over the floor, entertainment center, TV, Wii station, coffee table and futon. WHY???
Exhibit C: Doggie abuse. My other child is a senior citizen (16 years old) miniature schnauzer named MacGregor ("Mac"). My brother owns a 2 year old of the same breed (Gunnar).Apparently they have been put on the planet for my child to pull them by the collars, dump Tide and other liquid items on them, grab by the legs, grab by the head, kick and hit, etc, etc. For those who know me well, my dog is my first baby. I will not tolerate ANYONE hurting him, especially since he is more fragile these days. And since I kind of like Gunnar, I mostly stick up for him too :)
Yes I do understand that she is testing boundaries and is very much in the "id mode" but it is very hard NOT to get frustrated when I know SHE knows the rules. And how to act. And what Mommy expects. And what she needs to do to be a good girl. Most of the times she is, and when she isn't, time out is her sentence (which she hates so that's good news!). I have had to spank her (gently with my hand only!!) when she has refused to stay in time out and laughed thinking that it is all a game on a few occasions, and I am pretty sure that I feel MUCH worse than she ever does. Also, as a single mom, it is hard to be the disciplinarian AND the comforter. But I am both and that is my reality.
All I can hope for is that there is no terrible fours. Mommy just doesn't have that kind of patience. Or volume in her wine cellar.
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