I have had a number of people refer to me as a "Supermom". I have one thing to say in response to that title: I’m not worthy!
I am not one that has been blessed with the virtue of patience. Encouragement, yes. Patience, not even close. I’m working on it, with God’s help. I used to be about a 1 out of 10 on the patience scale. I have come great leaps and bounds over the years. I’m at least a 2 now, and some days, maybe a 3.
Nathan has been the one lately who is going to do me in. He’s a really sweet boy. Says "hi" to everyone and loves to gives hugs and kisses. Problem is, he’s gotten in touch with his Dark Side. Someone must have told him of the havoc you are expected to wreak when you hit the age of 2. Lately, he’s been driving us a little nuts with the word "Mine!" Anything that Graham has, Nathan wants to have. Graham will often give something to Nathan to shut him up make him happy. Then Graham will grab something new and Nathan wants that one. Sigh.
He’s also become the master of whining. He whines All. The Time. I’m exaggerating, of course. Sometimes he mixes it up with crying and screaming. The trilogy of my favourite sounds. Whining, screaming and crying. Can’t beat ‘em.
Then yesterday, he decided he didn’t need a nap. We put him in his crib, and he screamed/cried/whined for 45 minutes. We got him up, and afterwards endured one meltdown after another. It’s all I could do to keep myself from curling up in a ball and chanting, "I’m in my happy place" over and over. But I don’t have that luxury, and it wouldn’t be fair to leave Matthew alone to deal with it all. I will spare you the gory details, but last night bedtime ranked right up there with a trip to Mexico. I kid you not.
It’s not all his fault. He has cut his 2-year molars and they are slowly growing in. That can’t be fun. And never mind the fact that he’s TWO. What can you do?
We didn’t go through the "Terrible Two’s" with Graham. He’s always been my "compliant" child; my "yes man". But you know what? He’s discovered the "Terrible Almost Four’s". As part of this phase, he has started using a horrible curse word: NO.
He doesn’t yell it, and he doesn’t use it all of the time, but he’s not my little Yes Man 100% of the time anymore either. It’s like the two of them decided to gang up on us, and for some reason we feel outnumbered by two preschoolers. They really do have THAT MUCH ENERGY. It could be the lack of sleep (which is getting better), but some days I feel more like the bad guy than I do Supermom.
They really are great kids, and this stuff is totally normal…but by the end of the day I am counting the minutes until bedtime. I have been told that the ages of 6 to 10 are the golden years of parenting. The kids still think you are cool, and the hormones of the teenage years haven’t kicked in yet. That means that 2012 will be our one good year. Emily will be 6, Nathan 8 and Graham will be turning 10. Maybe it will stretch a bit into 2013. Can’t hardly wait.
As sorry as I feel for you and can totally relate…I feel somewhat selfishly happy that I’m not alone with the feelings that my 2 preschoolers are going to do me in!! My boys were little “angels” til they hit 2 and I found that it hasn’t let up even though Riley is nearly 5. My boys are very defiant and I am still not sure what actually works as far as discipline. I try to keep it cool cuz I know my hormones play a part in the madness…but also cuz kids are kids and are naturally sadly built to rebel. I think the only thing that’ll get us through these days is lots of prayer and many naps.
Hugs
[Reply]
Um, could I have written this exact post about my boys?? YES!! We never had “terrible twos” with Ethan, and in fact we were known to say “there must be no such thing” when we got to age 3 and he was still perfect!
But Tyler has been a totally different kettle of fish. I wonder if it has something to do with being the second/youngest child. We have the tantrums, the meltdowns, the wanting whatever Ethan is playing with, the refusal to nap, the whining (well for Tyler it is screaming or squealing) … so I totally know what you are going through!!!! Hang in there, we’ll get through it. They are 2, after all
[Reply]
I still think you deserve the title of supermom. Really if you’re still standing at bed time, (or even partially vertical), I think it qualifies. They’re long days but I’ve been told they too will be gone in the blink of an eye. God grant us patience.
[Reply]
God is defining your character and trying to teach you patience! Never pray for patience I have learned. This phase does pass. Brooklyn was like Nathan not long ago and now she is getting more pleasant. Graham has always been a yes man because he had no reason not to. Now he is just sticking up for himself. Middle children are definately an entity all to themselves. Hang in there.
[Reply]
Terrible 4′s are way worse than Terrible 2′s. 4 year olds think they know everything…and sometimes they might but they know more words to argue with you than a 2 year old.
[Reply]
Come away with us….
There’s still time!!
[Reply]
Well, Keenan is 6 going on 16. He was an amazing baby and toddler but come age 4 and on he has been MORE than a handful. And those golden years are supposed to start when ??????
[Reply]
Oh yeah, I forgot to say that age 4 can be REALLY TOUGH. My almost-perfect 3-year-old turned into a stubborn, loud, sometimes aggressive little boy, with an attitude to boot! He’s not so bad now (4 1/2) but we certainly do have our moments!! I’ve heard 5 is often not much better. Sigh.
BUT … My nurse told me that all boys have a major testosterone surge after they turn 4, which can account for a lot of the aggressive behaviour and refusal to obey. That actually did help me feel a bit better, because Ethan had started to do those things a bit!
[Reply]
Yikes, I guess that is what I have to potentially look forward to… BUT they are cute so…
[Reply]
Regardless of what you say, anyone who bakes cookies on her first day home from the hospital after birthing her third child with no drugs,is officially a supermom.
[Reply]
I can SO relate, and I don’t have the newborn factor to contend with. I think resisting the urge to curl up in a little ball entitles you to Supermom status! I hope tomorrow is a better day for everybody
[Reply]
I know alot of supermoms. You definately sound like one. Our kids never went through the terrible 2′s or 3′s but Aliah did hit a rocky patch, that we like to call an adjustment period, when she was 9. But it has been smooth sailing for us. Love your photos-
[Reply]
I stand by calling you “Supermum” One of the reasons why I think this is because through everything good and bad,you have a great sense of humour, and you acknowledge that you are learning as you go. Supermum’s of course have super forms of support be it friends,partner’s or the land of blog.
I admire how you keep it all together, and lose it as well.. You do an ace job Angella..
[Reply]
I have been there! We had a whole week like that and I have chalked it up to the two year molars too.
That and being 2
You BAKED the day after coming home from the hospital?
Yuh Huh – Supermom!
[Reply]
2 is so hard with second child. First one was easy for us too. Second not so. Hope you get a good nights sleep tonight. Hang in there.
[Reply]
did I read Amanda’s comment correctly….you were baking cookies the first day you came home from the hospital with Emily??? Momma mia. Thats way more than I was doing!
I can’t wait until Owen hits the terrible two’s….somedays we think he is starting already.
[Reply]
I can totally relate!! Cory was my easy one!! Middle child Rachel was and always will be my most challenging!! I think it’s because she is so much like I was as a kid…and the two’s!! Be grateful for any naps that you can get out of them…sleep deprivation on the parents part definitely plays a part…my solution? Coffee..more coffee and the odd bit of chocolate!! Also…a good support network of friends going through the same issues…in fact here comes my lovely sweet two year old right now…I tucked her into bed over an hour ago..why did god bless me with children that need less sleep than me??
Enjoy each moment–we will actually miss these days!! (so I’ve been told!)
[Reply]
LOL! We might have that one good year in there with you because honest to God your day sounds like mine.
Why can’t the kids ever have good days on the SAME day? Ever???
Lucas is hitting those terrible two’s as well. And Zachary? Well, he’s Zachary. He’s been “terrible two” since he turned 15 months old and has never stopped
Good luck. Just know you are NOT alone!
[Reply]
We thought we’d escape the terrible two’s until Ian hit 2 and a half and a little bit. The screaming, mine’s, no’s, hitting, kicking, BITING OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN! I thought I was a patient person until I found myself with an overwhelming desire to slap him silly. I didn’t, but I still haven’t found anything to stop his horrible behaviour. I’m hoping he’ll grow out of it eventually. Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. From what I can tell through your blog you’re doing a pretty decent job so far.
I think I was in bed for a month after Jayden was born and he’s just my second…
[Reply]
Well I sure feel not alone with my 2 year old he meltsdown from the time he gets up till the time he goes to bed. I have four one that is 10 and she is a delight most days no guarntees though. each days is its own. they all started terrible 2s at eighteen months and 3 are stillgoing at it.I have found room time to be affective for us both they have time to burn it off and you have time to breath so you won’t blow. I think when God gave us children especially mine he wanted to teach me patients but I am still learning.
[Reply]