You know it is going to be a bad day when the first thing your two year old does is set off the house alarm when she opens an exterior door after being told multiple times not to. I should have sent myself and everyone else back to bed for at least a few more hours. I sure wouldn't mind. We've all had the cold over here so my body is so tired... and congested. And there is nothing worse than being sick and not being able to take anything for it.
Alexis has really been testing my limits lately. I have made a conscience decision to be more patient and soft spoken with Alexis but today she spent most of her day on time out. Between her beating up on me and her little brother and just refusing to listen it has been a long day. Nap schedules were also interrupted today which I'm sure makes a big difference too. I thought that we were ending the terrible two's but I think her independent nature might make being three just as frustrating.
She will sit at the table for almost an hour before she finally eats her full meal. And getting her to pick up her toys has been impossible too. I think David figured out how to handle that though. He grabbed a trash bag and started tossing Alexis's toys in. He said if it was on the floor it was disappearing. I don't think I've seen Alexis move so fast in a long time... or scream so loudly. It sure was effective. No... we didn't throw away the toys... but they have disappeared for awhile. Any other ideas? I don't want my child living on time out... and I'm worn out!
5 comments:
This one I learned from my mother that I happen to really like. Every day that you get through a day and what Alexis does doesn't get you upset or angry you get a gold star. Enough Gold stars earn you a blouse or something you want. Just a suggestion.
I like that idea... Thanks mom.
I like your mom's idea too because it is about us dealing with our anger then.
Amelia is doing all the above too. I say one thing nicely and Amelia does the exact opposite and smiles about. Talk about testing limits!
I got a "sassy" mouth the other day of "You be nice to me Mommy!" after I scolded her harshly for climbing on the table (for the 5th time). We end up with substanial time out time too.
I just have to keep reminding myself that is all "age-appropriate" and not react when I'm called a "butt-head" by a toddler. (That is what I call Buddy when I am REALLY mad.)
It is really hard to pick your battles though when your child is either endangering themselves or their siblings!
Our 18 month old neighbor came over and when it was time to clean up - she LOVED it! Amelia could care less now. I miss those days :(
I do the whole, "your toys will disappear, go in the trash, dogs will eat (some truth there)if you don't take care of them" too. I just dread when I am going to have to eventually follow through on it. I guess a vacation in the garage for them.
Amelia is definitely getting jealous of Lily too. When I am holding Lily, Amelia will shove her body between me and Lily!
It has got to eventually get better though! Right???
boy, this sounds familiar. we are taking a love and logic class that will hopefully help us/me.
toys in time out is one of my favorite things... cuz then you don't have to trip on them all day long! ;)
everything i try works for about a day... ie/ special necklace, lip gloss, etc.
we've got colds as well... and i think being couped up in the house all day makes it worse. we need some good park time but i don't want to spread the germs.
So I am reading Love and Logic and the book says to say "uh-oh" when your child does something wrong. It usually keeps me calm instead of yelling. Then I say "I guess you need to go to time-out since you are throwing a tantrum". It is hard not to want to scream but if you train yourself to say uh-oh it will start to be your automatic response.
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