In my perverse new mother-hood naivety, I thought that was something to be proud of... "Oh, good. Our robust little boy has a great set of lungs."
Since, then Riley's ability to scream at the top of his lungs has reached its peak. These days, when he's in tantrum mode, he arches his back, throws his head back, and screams so loud that his tongue and little hangy-ball thingy start shaking.
Like so.
It's simply delightful. Especially when we're in a public place and all those seasoned mothers start rolling their eyes and looking at me like.."Pulleezz. Can't you control your child?"
I always thought people were exagerrating when they used the term terrible twos. After all, how could it be so hard to deal with a little person 1/10th your size and cognitive ability? Little did I know.
Riley has also enacted his own set of toddler property laws, which are as follows: 1. If I like it, it's mine. 2. If I can take it from you, it's mine. 3. If it's mine, it must not appear to be yours in any way. 4. If I saw it first, it's mine. If we try to make him share anything (or take something away from him after he viciously ripped it out of the hands of a hapless, less-savage toddler) he looks at us with this hurt little face like the world is coming to the end and then the screams start coming.
Needless to say, I am incredibly grateful for those wonderful moments when he wraps his sticky little hands around my neck, smiles at me, and says, 'Hi Mama!' It's enough to make me forget all those tantrums almost entirely....just not quite enough that I can completely convince myself that it's high time to have another baby.
P.S. If any of you expert moms out there have any tips for me, book suggestions, etc that may help me deal with the terrible twos phenomenon please shoot them my way.
6 comments:
Well, I can definitely say that I know how you feel, although we're still in "sweet little Leah" mode but when she has a melt down and we're waiting for the subway, I get the craziest and most judging stares. It's awful.
I am no expert but and I usually don't go along with the "newest parenting" stuff but I'm reading this book right now that I REALLY like and think it has a lot of great suggestions and encouragement. It's part of the Love and Logic series, I bought two of them. The one I'm reading now is 'Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood' by Jim Fay the other one is 'Parenting with Love and Logic' by Foster Cline & Jim Fay.
Good luck, we'll see how much this helps when I'm in your shoes.
I've actually heard of these and heard that they are supposed to be great. thanks for the suggestion...I'll try and get them from the library when we get settled in our new house.
aww i miss the little guy!! and so does zach!!
I also started reading those books and they are terrific. If something like that doesn't work, who know what will. I'm hoping that I'm going through the terrible one's right now...we'll see what the next year brings.
Love to hear the everyday things. I have listened to a tape of Jim Fay and Foster Cline, it was a very helpful one about different kinds of parents. Anyway thanks for sharing the day to day things and the great photos.
Love, Patty
So...I believe that the hanging ball thing you described is actually called the uvula. Here is what I learned from all of my early childhood classes. Smack them!! Yep I am pretty sure all the experts say when your child displays negative behaivor...you are supposed to hit them...usually in the face works the best. Good luck.( All of you who read this who do not know me...this is a joke...i swear I will be a great mother some day...did I mention I am a teacher..that's right enroll your children in my class!)
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