Posting has been sparse lately, due in part to the fact that this age is completely kicking my ass. The whining, the defiance, the tantrums, the limited communication skills, the total and utter lack of consistency or logic (I know, I’ve got a LONG way to go). Typical toddler stuff, but so completely exhausting and exasperating that I don’t even want to write about it. It’s not that I’m trying to be excessively positive or Pollyanna-ish in my blogging. On the contrary, I’m very much in favor of honesty and talking about the shitty parts of parenting right along with the fun stuff. I don’t want to pretend everything is fine and dandy when it isn’t. But in practice, I just don’t feel like I have all that much to say. I don’t even want to listen to myself complain about it. Kids are inexplicably cranky. There’s screaming and crying and refusal of food. 7:00PM is my very favorite time of day because I get to put them in bed and walk away. End of story.
Thankfully, of course, not every part of every day is so horrid. When they’re not throwing tantrums over… well… I have no idea what most of them are about, they are also super funny and super cute. And talking up a storm and recognizing letters, numbers, and colors. As I have said before, the good parts of parenting and kids continue to get better, even if the bad parts continue to evolve into new ways of sucking ass. As M says, “it’s a good thing you’re cute, kid…….”
Today was not as bad as some, at least in so much as Daniel didn’t have a complete meltdown at bedtime (as he did the two previous nights). So, in that light, I will share the cutest damn series of photos from a gorgeous day outside on Friday. And remind myself of the cuteness, so I don’t dwell on the tantrums.
It is interesting how we all internalize before we blog…Good luck and I know you’ll survive – and on to the next more difficult challenge. Because life is supposed to be challenging.
Mommy, Esq.´s last blog post..Swinging Back and Forth
hey, totally off topic, but i was wondering how your project with your back steps turned out? i never saw an update…did i miss it????
love the quilts, by the way! very cool!
Hearing this one loud and clear.
We just got back from impromptu trip to zoo with my BFF, her DH, and her 18 month old son. It was a good trip down memory lane of these feelings of frustration and utter lack of control. At least as they get older, if they have a tantrum they know the consequence. And if they don’t want to ride in a stroller, you can tell them they either ride in the stroller or leave and it means something.
Very long way to say it does get better!
Of course she was looking at me in fear as we had to take to the bathroom five times during dinner. Will I ever eat an uninterrupted meal in public again?
LauraC´s last blog post..Why I love being a boy mom, part 9834
I feel that way some, uhm a lot of days and I think I’m in an easier stage. The cute factor does play a huge role and they are indeed such cute photos. Since I can’t offer up any advice, I’ll just wish you good luck!
Susan D.´s last blog post..Interesting article
The pics are so adorably sweet!
Your post scares me since mine are only 17 months and the whining/crying alone just about drives me crazy. You’re right, though, their sweet/funny/cute tendencies far outweigh everything!
Since mine are a week younger than yours, all I can say is, I feel ya!!!! No time/ energy to post anymore!
Lisa
I think that in the next month or two, it will get easier. Their receptive language skills will improved, and they will be able to “hear” what you’re saying more. Also, I highly recommend a pack n play in your bedroom, where you can shut a screaming, irrational child (90% of the time, Miss Abigail). Don’t think of it as a learning tool, think of it as a mommy survival tool. Putting them in it and shutting the door for 5 minutes prevents many a mommy meltdown. And, you can spend that time focusing on the non-melting down child.
And 7pm, it’s TOTALLY the best part of the day!! Hands down.
Always good to be honest. Tori Spelling was on the Today Show last week talking about how AWESOME it is to be a mom and everything about it was sooooooo great. Ya right, Tori. Just what we need, some uber-rich celebrity telling us how easy and wonderful it is.
Love the hugging sequence – makes up for a lot of the whining, I bet. I hope
Nicole´s last blog post..Vacation Practice: Take 1
I love how real you are! Honestly, I don’t know how you full-time SAHMs do it. Two or three days a week is just the right amount for me. However, I’m planning to do the FT SAHM thing this summer with a toddler and a newborn, so even as I write this fear is surging in my body. I’m hoping the fact that it’s summer and my mom will be around to help a bit will make the fun/cute parts balance out the crazy parts. Keep up the good work!
Tara´s last blog post..Easter Bunny or Easter Bug?
Oh yes. That’s a lovely stage. Especially with two. I’m handling it okay with Logan right now (although I see the storm coming). The twins help a bit by entertaining him some though…when they aren’t terrorizing him
I tell ya – it’s those .5 year marks…they’re WORSE than the actual full year marks. But yup – it does get better. Then worse. Then better again. (And I bet it repeats over and over
)
Good luck over the next few days/weeks/months while they figure out how they want to be.
Nancy´s last blog post..I’m a Snob
awww…those pics are super sweet. maybe keep those up on your bulletin board to remind you during the hard times, because it’s only going to get worse as they notch closer to two. HOWEVER, to give you hope, things have improved so much around here as they get older. i remember the first 1.5 months after two and thinking i would never survive. but i see the light and it’s a nice one!
tracey´s last blog post..miracles do happen!
Thanks for not sugar coating Goddess. I am a firm believer in knowing what lies ahead of me (our girls are 10.5 months), even if I have no idea how I plan to deal with it.
Oh, I’m sorry you’re in that stage right now. Just now it gets better. Your quilts are amazing!
Damn cute for sure! I would print those puppies out and plaster them all over the house to gaze at in the worst of times.
As I have reminded myself over the past two weeks….stages are just that…stages. When it’s good. Oh, is it good. But when it’s bad…it’s BAD!
Hang in there!
CarrieinAK´s last blog post..Mayhem!: Update
I hear you. Can’t wait for 7PM either. The last ten days have been completely brutal. Not sure what’s in the water . . .
Lovely photos!
jane´s last blog post..Product Reviews
The biggest shock of my life thus far has been how REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hard it is to be a SAHM. I don’t know what I was expecting; I must have been in La La land. My tot years were spent with a babysitter who sat on the couch all day watching soaps and never moved her lazy butt. To raise children properly, that’s hard. To raise children exceptionally, as you are, with all the time, attention, outings, teaching, reading, and love required is self-sacrificing and at times down-right brutal. You are a wonderful Mom. I am constantly impressed and inspired.
Jungletwins´s last blog post..Trash Talking Hula
Just hang in there. I’m sure the tantrums will end eventually =) In the meantime, you’re doing a great job!
“The whining, the defiance, the tantrums, the limited communication skills, the total and utter lack of consistency or logic”
Um, you just described my three pre-teens.
I swear it’s like a second toddler-hood.
Those last 3 pictures in this post are just priceless! I love your kids.
threeundertwo@Lit and Laundry´s last blog post..The Joy of Physical Therapy