One word...Jackson. I'm pretty sure it's my problem, you know, not giving him enough attention, not having enough patience with him, not giving a darn about potty training, so, I'll have to fix all those things so I can be enough for this little guy. In the meantime, he's driving me nutty. And, I think I've finally figured out that "it" happens every Monday. That's right, J-man has a day set aside as his official "drive mommy up the wall" day. I think a lot of it has to do with all the attention he gets from his daddy all weekend and then workday Monday rolls around and he's a nightmare child. Last Monday, he chucked his breakfast plate to the floor. This lovely glass plate didn't just break into two nice throw away pieces...it didn't even shatter, it shredded, I mean this plate was glass shards and dust. Incredibly, no one was hurt and I got it all cleaned up only to have him turn in to El Destructo for the next 5 hours. Destroying everything he could get his hands on. While I was finally in the shower at 3 pm...he pulled off his pull-up full of #2 and slid down the side of the couch and onto the floor...super fun.
This Monday, same attitude along with screaming, pulling hair, kicking, and pinching. After what happened last week, I knew the start of yesterday would be the end of me, so I cancelled everything I had planned and went and picked up a good friend and wandered over to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens for an "OUT"ing.
The Norfolk Botanical Gardens was the best thing we could do yesterday. It was so beautiful, over 250,000 azaleas in bloom! The outdoors and the air and the sun and the flowers was just what we all needed. I'll definately keep that place in my back pocket for outings that will bring the sanity back.
On the way home from the gardens...demon-toddler struck again. He took off his seatbelt while I was driving on a busy highway and then took of his shoes and socks and threw them around the car at everyone. He then took another chunk of hair off of Abby's head while spitting on seats. I barely made it home in one sane piece before I lost it and put him on the couch for about 30 minutes while I went in my bathroom and cried. I just don't know who this child is, he's so out of control. I'm counting the days to our vacation to UTAH...7 days!!!! Bring on the mountains, Grandparents and no school...
The last time we were in Utah, 3 years ago.
Can't wait, the farm is calling!
3 comments:
HaHa! Well the fact that he actually stayed on the couch for 30 minutes is mighty impressive! Andrew at that age turned monster as well. We used to "hold him tight." When he got out of control, I sat him down on my lap and wrapped my arms around him tight from the back. I would hold him like that until he calmed down. He would tell me when he was ready to get up. I did it in the grocery store, at church, the park ... anywhere. Yeah, at first he screamed alot but the more we did it, the more he learned he wasn't going anywhere until he calmed down but I think he liked it ... made him feel more in control. It worked well for us. I also learned to give him choices ... and lots of them. That helped him a ton. Would you like to leave the park in 10 minutes or now? Then 2 minutes later, would you like to leave in 8 minutes or now? 5 minutes or now? 1 minute or now? Okay, it's almost time and ready, set, go ... I'll race you to the tree! Or would you like cereal or eggs for breakfast? Would you like to sit by my side with nothing to do or play quiety with your toys? "I want to go outside!" oh, that wasn't the choice, sit by my side or play quietly. If you don't answer, I'll choose for you. Anyway, a child therapist told me to try that and for him, it was awesome. Your whole post really made me laugh and feel tired at the same time! He is such a cutie. Have fun on your trip!
Cindy, I have used the choices approach. It works pretty well. I guess I'm just overwhelmed and out of patience lately, so I forget. And, when I'm driving 60 miles an hour and no where to pull over, it's all just pointless! But, then, when I'm ready to stop the car right in the middle of the freeway because he's so nuts, he calms for one short minute and starts humming the "Hallelujah Chorus"...dangit, if he wasn't so cute!!!!
lol! Give him to Alice for a week and give yourself a little break! You've got a ton on your plate, Sheila ... YW, homeschool ... is there any way you could get him in Head Start or something like that in the fall? It would probably make working with Jacob and Abby a little easier for you and then he would be kept busy, as well.
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