Queen of Rambles

I need to go to the library and get some child development books specifically for three year olds. I’ve heard over and over that three is the worst age, but it was hard to believe. His terrible twos tantrums lasted all of a month and then he was suddenly a mostly pleasant little boy who would slump his shoulders when he was sad.

Now? It’s defiance. It’s screaming “NO!!!” It’s hitting. It’s constantly saying “Mommy, quit talking! Mommy, be quiet! Mommy stop talking!” Constantly. I was expecting him to get into the “why” stage, but instead he doesn’t want to hear my voice.

I’ve been eating way too much sugar, which makes me crazy and grouchy. The past few days have been hellish. He hits me, I yell at him. He tells me to be quiet, I send him to a time out and start yelling at him. He begs for treats, I send him to a time out and start yelling.

This is not productive and not how I want to parent.

I didn’t eat any sugar today and I was much calmer, though I did still lose it when he started hitting me and made applesauce go all over me and his brand new shirt. After I calmed down, I did go over to him and talk to him and try to make up with him. That was the first time he actually cried and was upset about being in time out. I think he was mainly upset because I turned off Dora. When I say he hits, it is more like he is drumming and excited and not really hitting out of spite (usually) but it is still unacceptable. He was really excited when Swiper showed up and started pounding on me, then spilled the applesauce.

So I need to re-set my expectations, which is what always happens when he goes through a big developmental phase and starts new behaviors. I’ve been looking through Ask Moxie and was reminded that this phase will be accompanied by stuttering at the beginning of sentences. Guess what? Every sentence starts with “Da da da da da da da da da. . . ” Did I already say that yesterday?

Tomorrow will be a better day. Next week will be a better week. I’ll stop reacting to his behavior and start thoughtfully trying to mold his behavior and teach him a better way. I hate yelling. HATE IT. I grew up with constant yelling and I never wanted to bring a child into the world who would have to listen to yelling all the time. I need to remember that.

Tomorrow. No sugar. No yelling. Visit to the library to get books. We can do this, yes we can! Open defiance pushes my buttons so hard. This is the main reason I couldn’t be a teacher. It makes me see red and act crazy. This is going to be a long haul. Maybe I really should get a job and put him in daycare. He’d probably have more fun.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 7th, 2008 at 8:47 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.