At two, children go through loads of changes. They may start nursery school, potty training or get a bigger bed. Sometimes it's hard to remember how big these changes are for them. Because as mums, we struggle. Today I thought I'd write about my experience with the terrible twos...
Not eating their tea
Dexter isn't a fussy eater, he will try almost everything (apart from peas). So when I've made him something like pasta with tuna or even jacket potatoes and he down right refuses it - it is so frustrating. I often think: I know he's hungry, he isn't unwell, he likes it because he's had it before. So WHY aren't you eating it now!? It's hard to stay calm in these situations because you don't want to make them feel bad if there is an underlying situation but it's hard work when you go through so much hard working preparing it for them to just turn their nose up at it and go hungry. And then where do you go from there? I don't want to have to cook him something else because no doubt he will just turn his nose up at that too, but then I don't want him to go hungry either! Ahhhh!
Refusing to go in their pram
I'm all for Dexter walking places and getting exercise but when we really really need to be somewhere I ask him nicely to go in his buggy and explain the reason for it. Usually if I say we are going to Nana's or to go out for tea - he hops right in. But say it's just to get somewhere on time or because we are going on the bus he just turns into a plank. Some other mums may feel like me and want the ground to just swallow you up. You do get funny looks if your child screams out like you're torturing them or something. So you're trying your best to keep your cool, whilst wrestling a huge 2 year old into straps as they are shouting in your face. I can't say this is my favourite thing to do. But a mummy's gotta do what a mummy's got to do. I like to keep a banana or something snack like in my bag as a bribe. Naughty I know - but it does work. Dexter also cries when we have to get off the bus now too!
(Naughty pram bribe - but only at snack times!)
This one we probably all know 'I WANNNTTT'
Dexter just learnt to tell me when he wants something. This is good in ways like when he begins potty training he'll be able to tell me when he needs a wee - or maybe for telling me he wants a drink or something. But Dexter wants everything. He wants another biscuit, he wants a narna (banana), he wants a new car. Yeah he's allowed treats and I don't mind him telling me he wants things (because we all want something) but it's so hard to say no. I'm quite bad and usually give in - unless it's food he's after when he's just eaten. I guess you could say I like to spoil Dexter. There's nothing wrong with that but I need to get over it or I'm going to be left bankrupt.
(He just had to have the Peppa house)
Crying at bedtime (or nap time)
We recently transitioned Dexter from a cot to a bed. It's the same bed, we just took the side off. And I was really surprised to see he took to it straight away. He loved it, and was always wanting to go to bed. Until one night it started. He got out 1000 times - it was like something from Super Nanny. After repeatedly putting him into bed without saying anything or giving him the attention I admitted defeat and stayed with him. Only for him to expect the same off me the next night and so on. Thankfully he realised once again that bed time is bed time. I'll never understand why children completely knacker themselves out then don't want to go to sleep. In 10 years time it'll all change, I'm sure.
Sharing
Dexter doesn't really like sharing so all I can put for this one is if you're having other toddlers to your house make sure you get allll the toys out to avoid the stress. Trust me if you haven't tried this already it's worth it - although they still always want what the other has got. I've seen an improvement with Dexter's moods over this since he started nursery but when he's on his own turf he likes his own stuff. Forever apologising to visitors for Dexter's temper tantrums over his toys - but hey, that's what kids are like I suppose.
Running around like a crazy person
I was allowing Dexter to walk on his reigns in town the other day as we were just popping to the bank. When he's walking he is very well behaved and doesn't try to run off, but as soon as we got in the bank all hell broke loose. He was swinging around on his reigns, pulling away, refusing to move. I know toddlers don't like to stand still, which is fine but then going back to the pram point - he wouldn't get in there either. I'm there trying to control my riot of a child whilst depositing money into my account. I got a fair few snotty looks but they've obviously never experienced a child at full energy so I will let them off. It's bloody tiring though! Haha.
(At the park blowing off some steam)
General refusal to do anything you tell them
I guess this is a given with parenting and won't end any time soon...
Crying and whining over everything
I hate seeing my little one upset but I get upset too when I just can't figure out what is wrong with him, if it's anything at all. I won't lie though - it's stressful for us mummy's too. We try and try to distract them, make them focus on something else or sing to them. Often it doesn't work so sometimes you just have to let them figure it out for themselves. Usually Dexter is like this when he's had a bad nights sleep but other times I really don't know.
All things considered the good times definitely weigh out the bad - how could I not resist his cheeky face when he tells me he's sorry and gives me a kiss? I know it's important to give your child independence at this age but it's also important to have a break from time to time. Two year old's are exhausting...
No comments:
Post a Comment