Well, we certainly have been spoiled and blessed by having a basically perfect child....up until now :) Mia is now 19 months old and has most certainly hit her toddler-hood PMS emotional whiney tantrum stage. Within the past few weeks, Mia's vocabulary and attempts at taking have really increased...which I guess also includes an increase in frustration in trying to get her point across and be understood (and get what she wants). During times of stress, we now have noticed that Mia gets louder in her jumbled up words, stomps her feet, opens her mouth up and screams, cries, takes toys from others and one only a few occasions...yes, she has even hit others. I'm pretty sure we are doing "the right thing" in being very direct and clear with our statements, looking her in the eye, ignoring the tantrums, redirecting, praising the good, etc....am I missing something? By no means would I consider Mia mean, vicious or even defiant at this point. I guess I have just been sitting pretty 'til now and am a bit shocked when I see my perceived perfect little peanut all of a sudden get an attitude...kind of like her mother :)
My one main concern is her possessiveness of toys and things she has typically thought were hers. She seems to share well and give things to others that are older than her but somehow finds it difficult sharing or allowing younger or same-aged kiddos to play with her things. She responds well to gentle requests like she's helping out, but of course does not do well with demands...duh. Any tricks of the trade from seasoned parents out there that we can add to our tool box? Again, I'm not wanting to come across as complaining about Mia. What she is doing now and the boundaries she is testing are absolutely appropriate for her age....I guess I just needed a slap in the face to wake me up from my fantasy that everything would continue to be full of candy, unicorns and sunshine.
I think Mia is a-ok and that you're doing all you can. Just repeat to yourself: it's only a phase... it's only a phase... this too shall pass....
ReplyDeleteI still want to put them all in a padded room and let them just duke it out. It'd be awesomeeeeeeee.
I'm sure you've seen this before, but I just love it.
ReplyDeleteToddler Property Laws
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours!
What you're going to want to do is hit her back. Sounds horrible, but it works.
ReplyDeleteWait, can other people read this?
Ha!!! These are great. Those toddle laws are awesome and yes, Jake, people can read this :)
ReplyDeleteIf you liked Happiest Baby on the Block, Dr. Harvey Karp wrote Happiest Toddler on the Block. Check it out and let me know what you learned...... :)
ReplyDelete