I know there are other parents out there with the kind of toddlers who make you want to tear your hair out. Who literally drive you up the walls crazy. Who make a padded white room and a straight jacket and hours and hours of complete silence look inviting. I just know it. Right?
Now that I've been considering going back to work, or at least finding a part-time job, it's looking better and better. It's hard to enjoy staying home with your kids when you spend your days giving time outs and watching your kid bang his head on things. And even when you go to the park, create fun activities at home, or join friends for playgroup, more often than not it ends in tantrums and tears. The enjoyable times are mostly relegated to the days when both Greg and I are at home together, so that undivided attention can be given at all times. So. Staying at home alone is not so fun. And I know it's not supposed to be fun all the time. I know it's work. Hard work. The hardest work of my entire life, hands down. But c'mon. Is it this hard for everyone?
Give me your worst.
I think it is hard for everyone--I don't know of anyone who emerged from the two's unscathed. However, what I've noticed with Lillie and her friends is that the bad behavior tends to come in waves. There will be a tough period followed by a stretch of calm that makes it all worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone! It's VERY hard. I agree that it comes in waves. Some days are lovely, and some....not so much. It's a lot of work, but the payoff is you are doing the discliplining so it's consistent. I think it's a lot harder having to share the disciplining duties with a caregiver, so make sure whoever watches him is great at communicating with you and not sugar coating. My working mommy friends have said that helps tremendously. The days are long but the years are short, try to remember all the amazing moments you get to share when you're home that you would miss otherwise. I've been praying for you and Greg and God's timing with everything, we've been going through some "timing struggles" ourselves so I understand the frustration. Hang in there, you are a fabulous mama! :)
ReplyDeleteDawson once emptied an entire bottle of baby powder onto his toddler tool bench in his bedroom while I was on the phone with the Dr. for an ear infection for my sick baby Anabelle. It was NOT the travel size... the Costco size, of course! I had been up all night it was horrible. While I was trying not to cry OR swear in front of the kids, and dragging every piece of furniture that was covered in white outside to vacuum off, Dawson decided to 'help' me by getting the hose. He then not ONLY somehow managed at light speed to turn ON the hose and soak his furniture (wet baby powder is not QUITE as bad as wet flour... but they are similar forms warfare)... he ALSO drug the hose... that was STILL ON... inside the house. And thats where I found it... still running. And don't even get me started on the time he colored on my couch in crayola markers. Or the time he climbed on top of the stove and turned the burner on while I was nursing his sister... Ya. The 2's should end with a purple heart for every mother who survives them without a visit from CPS... ;)
ReplyDeleteBeth, you always make me feel better! What a nightmare! I think coloring on the furniture must be a rite of passage. And turning on the oven... Oh Lord.
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