“When she was good, she was very, very good,
but when she was bad, she was horrid!”
– from Nursery Rhyme, There Was a Little Girl
I remember my son’s two-year-old self as being a little easier to manage than his sister, but I’m probably mis-remembering. In fact, I think I vaguely recall the six months between 2.5 and 3 years of age being ones I could have cut out of his life entirely. (You know what I mean.) I also know that with two kids in my charge, my patience and my sanity are thinner and closer to the brink now than they were when I only had one child to care for.
Enter Madame. She is a lovely child. She is bright and charming, and the delight of many. She is joyous. She’s silly. She’s very funny. She’s clever. She’s delicious.
She at times is also a willful, stubborn mule. I know this may serve her well as a grown woman one day, but lately, I’ve really had my fill.
Part of being two is pushing boundaries. It helps them feel safe in knowing that they’re in the same place as they were before. It’s nothing personal – they just push. They push, and push, and push.
Part of being the mum is standing firm. No you can’t push your play stroller down the stairs. No you can’t jump on the top of the bunk bed. Yes, you must wear your rain boots today. You can have the cookie after your lunch. Please hang your coat right here. Please put that wrapper in the trash can. Oh, and you get nothing if you don’t say please.
Push. Push. Push.
No, I won’t nap today. No, I won’t come when you call me. I want to open the box of raisins MYSELF! I didn’t want you to CUT the apple! No!! NO!! I want to wear the pink sundress today! I don’t LIKE eggs! I will babble like a baby instead of talking today. Cookie. COOKIE!!
Crumple into heap and wail and sob and scream.
Mother walks over child and tried to hold her head together with her hands.
They push and they push and they push. It is exhausting standing firm, especially without much of a break from the pushing. But it is necessary.
Le sigh. It won’t be like this forever, I know.
Awesome post! So glad I’m not alone. You’re right it won’t be like this forever. And the scary thing is that there will probably be a day when we wish for this time back again (because they’re getting into trouble etc.). They really are so edible at this age. I just wish the screaming tantrums didn’t occur on a dime and all the time.
Oh yeah…. we’re living the dream over here as well right now….
My sister and I have nicknamed Will ‘Damian’ for the time being. I got the ‘Will had a very bad day today’ at school – pushing people down, smirking when disciplined…adn the maniacal laugh. Lucky he’s cute or I’d be passing him off to the gypsys.
And that picture Tracey – it made me pee my pants a bit…so hilarious.
Ah, the tantrums.
I loved the book “The Science of Parenting” (yeah, I know the title makes you think Whatever), but it talks about the “I can’t handle my own emotions and I need help” tantrums, and the “little Nero” (I’m the Queen of the World), tantrums, and learning to tell the difference and act accordingly. Wow, what a revelation that was for me.
Oh no! I hadn’t even considered that this might just be her personality… I’d better get some more wine then. 😉
Thanks for posting this. Good to know I am not alone! I took my daughter, whose name is Julia to her music class today and she INSISTED on being called “Reesie” for the whole class and became very temperamental whenever anyone called her by her real name.
She also insisted on wearing the princess shoes our 6 year old neighbour gave her (so they are just a tad too big!). Worse, my husband put her to bed last night…WITH the shoes on!!!!
I often find myself singing U2’s “You can’t always get what you wa-ant,” to her. Ah well, I guess this stubborness will serve them will in the future!
My youngest daughter is also so head strong. When she is happy life is good, but when she is unhappy life is miserable for the whole family. She is 8 years old and still has complete melt downs. I think it has something to do with birth order. My older daughter is so easy going. But I guess every family needs a difficult child.
I hear you, lady. Deep down, you KNOW they’re trying to kill us though, right?
This is exactly like my two year-old daughter as well. I feel like all day I am on a treadmill of time-outs, spanks, yelling, and trying not to let her zap my will to live. 🙂
Oh Ange… groan. I know. I know.
Besides the wine? I got nuthin’. *swigs from bottle and passes it*
That’s no lie, friend. It’s the hardest job EVER! And the hours are terrible and the pay sucks. But we’re all in the soup together – its nice not being alone. It does get easier… time passes… it will be okay. Until then, pass the wine.
It feels good to be in such fine company, lady. I’m so happy I make you laugh, and I “le sigh” because it’s pretty much all the French I know. Except for the swears, natch.
OMG Tracey — I have the male version living with me now. He just turned 2 last week (And he’s been this way since about 17 mths)
Can you imagine if the two of them got together LOL!
Thanks for this post, it’s nice to know that I am not alone. I just keep telling myself – this too shall pass. And like you, I believe that they will grow up into being passionate successful adults — but damn this is tough
when i read posts like this i always smile and (le) sigh as it makes me feel less alone. i’m not alone!!!! 🙂
anyway, i’m really enjoying your posts and the le sigh makes me laugh every time.
Oh dear. Did my daughter move into your house? That behaviour (almost exactly as you describe) began at two. And please be warned… now that she’s three (and a few months), it’s WORSE! Well, worse when it’s bad. Mostly she’s a delight, but this “mind of her own” is taking over my life! Good luck, and please share if you figure out how to deal with this (besides drinking, which we already do).