I’m done.
Posted in Mom Life, Random Nonsense on 04/02/2008 08:36 pm by toriI finished up my school work and have caught up. Now on to more pressing matters - like sleep. But seriously… Julia has entered some sort of horrific 3’s phase where she refuses to eat, has potty accidents and throws tantrums uncontrollably. It’s so freakish to see my little angel screaming “no” at me and generally being so horribly behaved.
She’s had troubles in stores, in restaurants - things we’d never had issues with, even when she was tiny and cried at lot at home. We’ve had to run into Target to buy extra underwear and pants, due to a tantrum urination (sounds like some sort of fetish, no?). Her “safe” foods seem to be reduced to pasta and its cousins, and yogurt. This was my girl who’d eat tandoori chicken and love it!
I’m hoping that things get easier - well, or at least change. This is wearing me out.
04/03/2008 at 7:23 am
Tori, it’s true, kids who blow past the “Terrible Twos” without a problem can sometimes choose to act up during the “Tumultuous Threes”. I think in Julia’s case it’s because she’s SO smart, and she’s feeling frustrated that she doesn’t have more control over things. She’s getting bigger, and starting to exercise her independence. The trick is, allowing her some latitude to feel like a “big girl” while still keeping her in check.
Some suggestions: when it comes to eating, try saying, “I’m making chicken tonight. Will you help me?” If she’s involved in the cooking/prep process, she’s more likely to eat what you’re making. As far as tantrums in stores, you could get a little wristwatch and say, “Okay, we have 25 minutes to be in this store. Watch the big hand, and let me know when it gets to the 5, and then we have to stop shopping and get on line, no matter what.” It gives her some control, and gives you some peace.
I’d also let her help you make a list for when you go shopping. It doesn’t matter if she can’t write the words, “Milk” or “Eggs”, she can draw a picture of each thing you need. Let her check the stuff off the list as you shop.
I hope this helps a bit. If not, bring her over for a visit and I’ll have a talk with her. I’m sure she’ll make nice for me!