For some time now I've been calling Punkin my "spirited child" -- complete with air quotes. That's really just a nice way of saying she's spoiled rotten. Being in the throes of the terrible twos (which really goes well into their third year, a fact nobody tells you) is not a good combination with "spirited."
She is a very impatient child. From what my mother tells me, she must be just like I was at her age. I'm sorry, Mom.
No answer is ever good enough for Punkin. "What are we having for dinner, Mommy?"
"Chili."
"What else?"
"A salad."
"What else?"
"Some corn muffins."
"What else?"
"That's it. That's all we're having."
"What else?"
"Nothing."
"WHAT ELSE?!!??" she'll yell, clearly not satisfied.
And she thinks that her father and I can magically create things out of thin air by the simple act of her saying "please." "I want to see more Christmas lights, Mommy."
"Well, there aren't any right here. Keep your eyes open and maybe you'll see some more."
"Please, Mommy. Pleeeease. I WANT MORE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!"
Sheesh, if I had that kind of power I wouldn't be wishing for more Christmas lights. A million bucks, maybe.
But slowly, ever so slowly, her behavior is starting to improve. It's one of those things that you don't really notice -- it kind of sneaks up on you, like the incoming tide at the beach. One minute you're dozing in the sun and the next minute the waves are lapping at the edge of your towel. One day you just realize that you haven't had to yell as much, haven't had to threaten time outs as much, that requests are met with compliance instead of defiance.
You realize that you actually enjoy spending time with your preschooler. And that you like the person she's becoming.
Even if it means she's growing up.
Mixed Bag
13 years ago
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10 comments:
Can you please send some of your water over this way, because I swear to Steve Madden if my two-year old tells me to "Leave her alone" (lord knows where she got that, thank you five-year old at dayhome) one more time, I'm going to lock myself in a closet with a bottle of vodka.
I am always torn between being amazed at how much Alexis can say now or begrudging how much Alexis can say now. Growing up is definitely a double-edged sword.
"compliance instead of defiance" I love that line! Yes, I've been loving life since Muffin began to see reason. It's amazing what special little people they are - you know, when they're not acting CRAZY!
Ah it seems you are at the end of that journey as I am at the beginning. How am I supposed to respond to a request to turn the sun off when it's shining in Boog's eyes. I mean really, I know he thinks we can do anything but c'mon!
I am laughing because a friend of mine just told me that "you know, spirited child is just a nice way of saying ASSHOLE." And yes, I have four of them.
Love the diner conversation. Know it all too well. And hey, can I come over for that meal??? It sounds fantastic!!!
Awwwwww!
I had one of those incoming tide moments with Bee last night. I realized it had been two weeks since she had a potty-accident...and then she peed on the couch.
Here's hoping Punkin' couch stays dry, so to speak.
(And be sure to tell her how much you appreciate her new behavior! She'll think she's really something!)
This is where my mom loves to say, "Payback is a bitch, sweetie."
I can just picture you driving down the street screaming MORE MONEY!! I WANT TO SEE BENJAMINS FALLING FROM THE SKY!!! NOOOWWWWWW!!!
Consider this exchange between the Queen Mother and Madame Queen around the age of 3+.
QM: "Come on inside; it's getting dark."
MQ: "But I don't want it to get dark."
QM: "Well, the sun is going down."
MQ imperiously while jumping up and down: "I don't want the sun to go down!"
What goes around, comes around....
Somehow that "what else is for dinner" comment always sets me off!
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