Still Catching Up...

I wish I could devote more time to blogging these days, but the best I can do is to post when I can.

Stay tuned...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

What's that on the Horizon?

Is it the Terrible Twos I see? Yes, I think so.

For the past few weeks, I have been seeing signs of the things to come. On the upside, the Dandilion is talking more, and even listening a little more. He is able to help out with tasks like "Please take this wrapper to the trash" and "Go find your cup". He calls everyone for "Dinnertime". And sometimes he even says "Mommy, I wa mo milk peese." All wonderful developments.

However, with his new found ability to communicate has come the anger & tantrums from not getting what he wants. A couple of our biggest sticking points...

1. Walking holding hands in a parking lot - he REALLY wants to walk (I can tell this because when I take him out of the carseat he always says "walking? I wa to walk") yet even when it is firmly explained that he needs to hold hands to walk, as soon as I set him down and take his hand he goes into "death drop mode" and is hanging with all his weight on the hand I am holding. And then I pick him up to carry him with him screaming "walk, walk, walk" at the top of his lungs.

2. "Snacks", "Bars" and "Candy" (and other foods not being given at that time) - having a big sister means that the Dandilion knows about treats. He is aware of where they are kept in the house and shouts for them in the grocery store ("tracks" = character shaped fruit snacks, "bars" = granola or breakfast bars, and candy is pretty obvious). Unfortunately once he sets his mind on something he can't let it go. So we will be getting ready for lunch (he is plenty hungry) and all he can do is scream & yell that he wants snacks. He won't eat anything else and he'll throw all other suggestions on the floor while screaming "tracks".

So needless to say, he has been spending some time in "Time Out." I think he is starting to understand the concept of sitting in the chair. He does say "sorry", but I don't think he always remembers why he is sitting there by the time he gets up. I also think he is starting to know that he doesn't want to sit in "Time Out" because when I give him a warning he will say "No Time Out"... although it doesn't always seem to prevent him from repeating his offense and getting sent to "Time Out"

Fasten your seatbelts and hold on for a wild ride...

3 comments:

Ali said...

Luke wants to walk now too when we get out of the car. I make him wear the Monkey harness. If he refuses to wear Monkey harness, I say it either the monkey or you go right into the shopping cart. He will agree to the monkey and I avoid a meltdown. MAybe try giving a choice. You hold my hand or you HAVE to ride in the shopping cart/stroller etc.

I have no other tips. hope this one helps.

Cristin said...

Ah yes, the hand holding or lack there of in the parking lot and the screaming that follows - you must have been behind me today as that happened.
I do have a couple harnesses, but when they know how to undo the buckle - well - the parent is defeated again.
So Welcome to the Horrific Two's! I feel your pain, heck I live it every day.
Something to look forward to "3" - I won't say terrific, but not as horrific as the 2's.

Shelly said...

ah, yes, what a wonderful age. With Brooke, forget terrible twos...it was fearsome threes!