Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Tate is quickly approaching the age of two.  So far, he has grown and developed into a wonderful little boy.  His smiles, kisses and “I wuv u’s” all melt my heart.  He lightens up the room with his charming glow and ability to make everyone laugh.  However, along with turning two (soon) comes the “terrible twos” or as I like to say the “trying twos.”

Having already experienced this stage of development with Jack, I can remember feeling very frustrated and never wanted to leave the house.  Before leaving the house, I knew Jack would have a fit being in the stroller, wanting nothing to do with being in his car seat or have a crying fit if not allowed to have all 100 Thomas trains that were hanging on the sales shelf.  It was a trying time, especially for a first time parent.

Tate, on the other hand wears, his heart on his sleeve – and in his voice, in his stamping feet and his crocodile tears.  He is sweet as can be one minute and the next he is screaming at the top of his lungs.  I mean shrieks so loud they are ear piercing and his face turns red.  He insists on doing exactly what you’ve told him not to do (with a huge grin on his face) or he’ll throw himself down on the floor throwing a tantrum if he doesn’t get what he wants.  I know two year olds like to test limits and are curious.  I have no problem letting his curiosity shine.  I want him to learn about everything we deal with on a daily basis. I’m not sure if I feel these trying times are a little worse because I’ve forgotten just how hard it was with Jack, or if my patience is rapidly diminishing, or maybe a little of both.

I’ve read books and articles trying to find the best ways to handle these fits.  The best technique that seems to help at the moment (and with Jack at this age) is distraction.  Offering another toy or taking him outside to play usually calms Tate down to where he can take a deep breath and try to express in words what is wrong.  His demands alternate between frustration and amusement for me.  I know it’s a stage because Jack thankfully grew out of it, but in the midst of the mayhem it can be very hard not to have a tantrum myself.  Please share any other techniques that have worked for you.  I’m sure in a few years I’ll think about these little fits and laugh.  Hopefully Tate will, too.

Tate is quickly approaching the age of two.  So far, he has grown and developed into a wonderful little boy.  His smiles, kisses and “I wuv u’s” all melt my heart.  He lightens up the room with his charming glow and ability to make everyone laugh.  However, along with turning two (soon) comes the “terrible twos”.  I like the term trying twos.

Having already experienced this stage of development with Jack, I can remember feeling very frustrated and never wanted to leave the house.  Before leaving the house, I knew Jack would have a fit being in the stroller, wanting nothing to do with being in his car seat or not allowed to have all 100 Thomas trains that were hanging on the sales shelf.  It was a trying time, especially for a first time parent.

Tate on the other hand wears his heart on his sleeve- and on his voice, on his stamping feet and his crocodile tears.  He is sweet as can be one minute and the next he is screaming at the top of his lungs.  I mean shrieks so loud they are ear piercing and his face turns bright red.  He insists on doing exactly what you’ve told him not to do (with a huge grin on his face) or he’ll throw himself down on the floor throwing a tantrum if he doesn’t get what he wants.  I know two year olds like to test limits and are curious.  I have no problem letting his curiosity shine.  I want him to learn about everything we deal with on a daily basis. I’m not sure if I feel these trying times are a little worse because I’ve forgotten just how hard it was with Jack or if my patience is rapidly diminishing or maybe a little of both.

I’ve read books and articles trying to find the best ways to handle these fits.  The best technique that seems to help at the moment (and with Jack at this age) is distraction.  Offering another toy or taking him outside to play usually calms Tate down to where he can take a deep breath and try to express in words what is wrong.  His demands alternate between frustration and amusement for me.  I know it’s a stage because Jack thankfully grew out of it, but in the midst of the mayhem it can be very hard not to have a tantrum myself.  I’m sure in a few years I’ll think about these little fits and laugh.  Hopefully Tate will, too.