Argh...
It's started.
The terrible two's are here.
Not officially -- but I am noticing a change in Scotty's little personality. He's more stubborn. He's opinionated. He wants it his way, and that's it. There is an independence growing in him - a move to autonomy, if you will - that makes me think his little brain is launching its own Tea Party movement.
Please kill me now.
I feel this strange urge to create a pie chart or something that highlights the number of tantrums this month (38) compared to number of tantrums last month (3). And this is a shorter month, too. Conclusion? He's finding his little voice, no matter how crazy it may make his mother.
Because I want to make this blog helpful for other mothers, I'm going to take the bold step and break the omerata that is Motherhood by sharing two tried-and-true-ideas that really work...I was pulling my hair out prior to the discovery of both of these things, and now, at least I can grease the wheels for part of my day (while I continue to struggle with the other parts.) Motherhood is just like a game of Angry Birds - not only do you need to know what you are working with (blue bird, red bird, boomerang bird), you also need flawless execution. It doesn't matter how many birds you are given; if you can't hit the wood with the yellow bird, you're never going to kill the pigs.
Think of the following two items as your "Eagle."
(yes, Brian and I paid the .99 for the Eagle...and he was useful twice. Best .99 I ever spent.)
So, without further adieu...some secrets of surviving Toddlerville from someone currently in the trenches.
(drumroll please)
#1....
It's started.
The terrible two's are here.
Not officially -- but I am noticing a change in Scotty's little personality. He's more stubborn. He's opinionated. He wants it his way, and that's it. There is an independence growing in him - a move to autonomy, if you will - that makes me think his little brain is launching its own Tea Party movement.
Please kill me now.
I feel this strange urge to create a pie chart or something that highlights the number of tantrums this month (38) compared to number of tantrums last month (3). And this is a shorter month, too. Conclusion? He's finding his little voice, no matter how crazy it may make his mother.
Because I want to make this blog helpful for other mothers, I'm going to take the bold step and break the omerata that is Motherhood by sharing two tried-and-true-ideas that really work...I was pulling my hair out prior to the discovery of both of these things, and now, at least I can grease the wheels for part of my day (while I continue to struggle with the other parts.) Motherhood is just like a game of Angry Birds - not only do you need to know what you are working with (blue bird, red bird, boomerang bird), you also need flawless execution. It doesn't matter how many birds you are given; if you can't hit the wood with the yellow bird, you're never going to kill the pigs.
Think of the following two items as your "Eagle."
(yes, Brian and I paid the .99 for the Eagle...and he was useful twice. Best .99 I ever spent.)
So, without further adieu...some secrets of surviving Toddlerville from someone currently in the trenches.
(drumroll please)
#1....
KETCHUP!
Also known as "Nature's Candy"
(or catsup, for you purists).
I know, I know. You all hate ketchup. It's full of sugar and sodium and stuff. Blah, blah. No, it's actually great, because it provides the impetus for even the fussiest toddler to consider eating a tiny morsel of food, while offering additional calories during those long stretches of self-imposed toddler starvation. Tomatoes are a vegetable, right? And while we may bally-hoo that sugar, I personally believe it prevents my toddler from going into ketosis as a result of his baby-Atkins-like diet (eggs, cheese, hot dogs...and that's it.) It's a winner, anyway you slather it. And slather it on eggs, salmon, medicine, his toothbrush, etc.
and #2....
(or catsup, for you purists).
I know, I know. You all hate ketchup. It's full of sugar and sodium and stuff. Blah, blah. No, it's actually great, because it provides the impetus for even the fussiest toddler to consider eating a tiny morsel of food, while offering additional calories during those long stretches of self-imposed toddler starvation. Tomatoes are a vegetable, right? And while we may bally-hoo that sugar, I personally believe it prevents my toddler from going into ketosis as a result of his baby-Atkins-like diet (eggs, cheese, hot dogs...and that's it.) It's a winner, anyway you slather it. And slather it on eggs, salmon, medicine, his toothbrush, etc.
and #2....
Cushion Bear
COUCH FORTS!
I know, you were probably expecting something a little more sophisticated. But this idea sprang to me when I was vacuuming the couch the other day and Scotty seemed to love rolling on the pillows I had just set on the carpet. I threw a couple more cushions off the couch, and viola! A couch fort was born.
The kid couldn't get enough of the pillows. He jumped in them, rolled in them, hid his animals in them. It was great. I joined him eventually and we giggled for a long, long time. It was a really nice break to all of the books we read, blocks we build with (well, I build with and he subsequently destroys with) and puzzles we put together. It felt like good, organic family fun.
This is also a useful way to kill approximately 45 minutes of your time. Perhaps you need to get dinner started before the spouse comes home? Or your toddler has determined that nothing will entertain him sufficiently, so he's decided to wrap his arms around your legs and holler? Loudly? Make a couch fort. It's free, it's easy, and best of all, the kids love it. All that is required is a large couch...
I know, you were probably expecting something a little more sophisticated. But this idea sprang to me when I was vacuuming the couch the other day and Scotty seemed to love rolling on the pillows I had just set on the carpet. I threw a couple more cushions off the couch, and viola! A couch fort was born.
The kid couldn't get enough of the pillows. He jumped in them, rolled in them, hid his animals in them. It was great. I joined him eventually and we giggled for a long, long time. It was a really nice break to all of the books we read, blocks we build with (well, I build with and he subsequently destroys with) and puzzles we put together. It felt like good, organic family fun.
This is also a useful way to kill approximately 45 minutes of your time. Perhaps you need to get dinner started before the spouse comes home? Or your toddler has determined that nothing will entertain him sufficiently, so he's decided to wrap his arms around your legs and holler? Loudly? Make a couch fort. It's free, it's easy, and best of all, the kids love it. All that is required is a large couch...
Couch
and a child under the age of 5. Or 35. It's fun. Try it.
Weeee! Bear
Anyone else have any tips? Ideas? Secrets?
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