The Toddler Years
I remember going to the grocery store with my son when he was a baby. I would buckle him into his infant seat and place it in the bottom of the cart, then I would quickly walk the aisles while he babbled to himself and studied other shoppers. (You gotta go fast because you never know when baby is going to completely lose it. Hendrick usually reached that point by the time I reached the checkout counter.)
My boy is now a rambunctious toddler who won't be held captive in a cart for five minutes. I first realized we were going to have problems a few weeks ago, when he wiggled out of the strapped seat and stood up to survey the frozen foods aisle while I turned to grab some veggies from the freezer.
His preferred mode of transportation these days is to grip the side of the cart and hang on while I peruse the aisles. This doesn't sit well with the store manager, of course.
I realize each stage has its challenges, but this one can really make a grown woman cry. I mean a complete breakdown borne from frustration and self-pity. No one can make a toddler understand why he can't have the car keys (Hendrick's latest obsession) or jump on the bed or eat diaper cream. There's no reasoning with him yet.
It's a daily battle for control and, well, some times I feel like he's winning. But I'm not going to surrender. He'll only be in this phase for another year or so, I'm told. (Just the thought of that makes me wince.)
Sometimes a mom just needs to regroup, plan a new strategy and double up her efforts. I call in reinforcements (a.k.a. a babysitter, my mother, a friend) to give me some breathing room and then I hold a strategy session over a quiet dinner with my husband. Then I come back refreshed.
After all, I need to save my strength for the teenage years. More experienced parents keep telling me I haven't seen anything yet.
Here's an article that provides some really good tips on how to deal with toddlers.
http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Children_s_Health_200/Connecting_with_Your_Kids_Loving_Your_Terrible_Terrific_Toddler.shtml
My boy is now a rambunctious toddler who won't be held captive in a cart for five minutes. I first realized we were going to have problems a few weeks ago, when he wiggled out of the strapped seat and stood up to survey the frozen foods aisle while I turned to grab some veggies from the freezer.
His preferred mode of transportation these days is to grip the side of the cart and hang on while I peruse the aisles. This doesn't sit well with the store manager, of course.
I realize each stage has its challenges, but this one can really make a grown woman cry. I mean a complete breakdown borne from frustration and self-pity. No one can make a toddler understand why he can't have the car keys (Hendrick's latest obsession) or jump on the bed or eat diaper cream. There's no reasoning with him yet.
It's a daily battle for control and, well, some times I feel like he's winning. But I'm not going to surrender. He'll only be in this phase for another year or so, I'm told. (Just the thought of that makes me wince.)
Sometimes a mom just needs to regroup, plan a new strategy and double up her efforts. I call in reinforcements (a.k.a. a babysitter, my mother, a friend) to give me some breathing room and then I hold a strategy session over a quiet dinner with my husband. Then I come back refreshed.
After all, I need to save my strength for the teenage years. More experienced parents keep telling me I haven't seen anything yet.
Here's an article that provides some really good tips on how to deal with toddlers.
http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Children_s_Health_200/Connecting_with_Your_Kids_Loving_Your_Terrible_Terrific_Toddler.shtml
1 Comments:
I love your blogs, you seem like such a nice woman and really smart.
Unfortunately, you haven't seen anything yet, it's true!
Having teenagers and then young adults - gez - sometimes I would give anything to go back to fighting with my daughter over what she wanted to wear, instead of the more grown up issues she has now!And the issues of 16 yr olds having nothing to do and then the constant worrying when they get their license! Remember, this too shall pass! Enjoy the young
guy - Definetly keep the babysitters and dinner with hubby - we all deserve a break sometimes...
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