Tuesday, September 15, 2009

18 months...Beggining of the Terrible Two's?

The parenting handbook that came with my kid didn't tell me that the terrible two's start at 18 months. Did anyone else get that memo. I'm finding this age to be frustrating for both Hudson and I. Even though I'm having the time of my life, there are days where I feel like I'm beating my head against a brick wall. Hudson has two new things that must stop ASAP or I'm selling him in the yard sale. Ha! Just kidding, I promise. Don't report me to DHR yet.

First, he has started this horrible little scream/yelp that he does when I take something away from him, when I'm not doing what he thinks I need to, or when he's not getting his way. It is like someone scratching their finger nails on a chalkboard. Every time this bratty little scream comes out of his mouth I yell "NO" at him, but I'm not sure if he knows what I'm saying no about. Communication lines are being formed, but in the meantime it makes for a very frustrated mommy and baby. He knows what he wants but can't always tell me and I know what I need from him, but he doesn't always understand it. We're learning quickly though and I'm sure this phase will be over soon.

Second, he has started running from me. Running from me started many months ago as a game. I moved towards him and he turned and ran giggling away as if to say "mommy chase me!" But now he's running for different reasons. Usually because he's got something in his hot sweaty little hands that he knows he's not supposed to so when I tell him to give it to me, he turns and runs. This makes me so ill!

He's testing the waters and I'm setting up boundaries where needed. I'm sure this will continue to some degree for the next 18 years. I just hope that I'm getting off on the right foot and that I'm taking the right steps in my disciplinary actions. I know that right now--while we're setting these boundaries--is a very important time. I've got to make it clear to him that while I can't let him get away with certain things, and I have to tell him no sometimes, and he has to respect and mind me, I still love him with all my heart. No pressure, huh? Ugh. Parenting is not easy, but it is the most rewarding thing I've ever done. When I look at him and tell him no and he slowly backs away and moves on to something else, it makes me so proud and makes me feel like I've done something right.

Even though we've had several intense moments lately, the good ones far outweigh the bad. He's such an angel sometimes. There are many times when he walks up to me out of the blue and wraps his arms around my neck or gives me a big kiss on the lips. Those moments make me forget all the ones when I'm having to be a mean mommy. I love him more than words can say.

2 comments:

  1. oh Honey, I am SO glad to know that I am not the only one who wants to beat my head against the wall sometimes. Wyatt has already started running from me, and he has started telling me No! I hope I have energy for this- and here we were thinking that our kids were going to be exempt from this phase- ha!

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  2. Oh PLEASE. No one gets that memo. Yes, the terrible two's have started here in Opelika as well. Odd that it's the same things: yelping, running away, and does Hudson stomp his feet whilst he's doing the yelping?? Oh, just my diva daughter, then. Great. :)

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