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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

And it's only Tuesday...


Why does it feel like Friday?

It's already been a long week. Analese and I have been butting heads for the past few days, and I do not know why. One minute she is telling me how much she loves me, and the next she is screaming and trying to hit me.

Sigh.

My child is such a passionate and spirited girl. She puts so much effort into everything she does, and when things go the way she envisions, there is so much joy to share. Joy for Mom, joy for little sis. I love her spirit, her excitement, her enthusiasm.

This morning she was a baby bird and I was her mommy (this was my attempt to get some more bites of oatmeal into her-she hasn't been eating much these days). We had a great time, she peeped as I fed her "worms" and laughed as I flew back and forth to each child, doing my best crow impersonation. Analese loved it, and did not want it to end.

Hours later, I called her, only to be greeted by screams "I AM NOT ANALESE!! I am a baby bird, a baby bird....YOU are the mommy bird " She cried for oh, 15 minutes or so, because I had the nerve to call her by her human name.

I am still trying to figure out how to best help her through the roadblocks that come her way, like allowing a fun moment to pass. Other such seemingly simple things, like Mara walking into the bathroom when she is in there, or picking up the same color block, will completely send her over the edge. Tears, kicking, screaming...we get it all.

These episodes last anywhere from 10-20 minutes each. I am so tired. She'll eventually catch on, right? Right?

In some aspect, I truly admire the ability that she has to voice her unhappiness, loudly and dramatically, getting all of her aggressions out with each kick, each flail of her arm. Adult temper tantrums would be wonderful, wouldn't they? And then to experience the calm, when it's all out of your system....

Let's hope that tomorrow is better.

7 comments:

Chris said...

Oh Analese...to be 3 again. I distinctly remember 3 1/2 being the most difficult time with my kids--boys and girls. At times they just needed alone time in their rooms, especially during a temper tantrum. For them, and for me! :) Hang in there, Julie. It does get better...hopefully by the time she's 4 1/2.

Julie B said...

thanks Chrissie! Alone time in her room doesn't work-she feels like she is being punished and the few times I put her in there, she completely destroyed it. She just doesn't know how to calm herself down, such a hard thing for me to teach her! We've been working on taking deep breathes, sitting on my lap, etc. It's those first 5 minutes or so thats the toughest, especially keeping her from hurting herself and Mara.

Maude Lynn said...

This sounds familiar . . . mine reacts to every little thing like it's the most important thing EVER. It really does wear you out.

Staci Taylor said...

Hugs to you girl. Raising toddlers isn't easy! Although it's frustrating now, A's passion will serve her well when she is older (and learns to tone it down a bit ;-) I definitely think I will need your advice in a year or so, as I already can see that Chloe has um, a flair for the dramatic (putting it nicely, hehea). It will be interesting for me to see the gender differences, as Noah is pretty easily distracted and calmed out of a fit, whereas I can already see that Chloe will take much longer to soothe! I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. I love that picture you captured of them having quiet time reading... so cute!!

Lorrie said...

Three is such an interesting, fun, and definitely challenging time. And it does get easier (:

Julie B said...

thanks! The past few days have been pretty good overall. Of course we had our moments... :)
My biggest thing is trying to teach her that it is ok to feel the emotions she is feeling, just to feel them in a toned-down version :) I don't want her to feel bad, or feel like she shouldn't be upset (even when I don't feel like she should :) ) Some days it sinks in......

My Lifesong said...

It never was the terrible twos, it was the trying threes. They swing back and forth..feeling their way in this world, and seeing how far they can go, and trying out all their emotions. Keep up the good work of directing her emotions, and helping her to take some control herself. She may always challenge you, but enjoy the wonderful ways of Analese.