The next day I made plans to drop her off at a friends house and go to yoga. While at class and on the way back I thought about the way I need to be reacting and taking control of situations. I thought about all the ways I would talk to children that I worked with and why am I not speaking that way to my daughter. That whole day we spent with friends and had so much fun. Every day since then I have taken deep breaths when she starts to act out. I am so happy to see how she responds when I stay calm and offer options. She still wants what she wants and will let it be known but to be able to not have a tantrum right along with her feels good.
I'm hoping that I can keep this reminder in the back of my head even on the toughest of days.
Oh yes, 2 year olds are tough. My first daughter, the angel baby? Let's just I had to introduce time outs as soon as she turned 2. After a while they worked pretty well...until 9 months later when her sister was born. OUCH. My younger daughter at 2? Yea, THAT was a year, I can tell you! The good news is it gets much better, especially after you introduce discipline that works for your child. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope it works and she settles down just a bit.
DeleteI hear you because I am so there with you. I usually beat myself up and start over the next day. It definitely is a challenge with a second kid added to it because she sees what her older sister is doing. Glad you get to do yoga because that gets you relaxed. Hang in there girl.
ReplyDeleteOh I don't know how you do it! It is nice having support from other mothers that have been there or are there
DeleteI hear you! You are an amazing mother, and if any mother said they haven't been there, they would be lying. hahahha See if she can spend the night at a friends house and go grab food and drinks with friends. At least, that's how I decompress. We've all been there and you've got this :) If you were in town I would offer to watch her any time.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I would be over everyday hanging out with you to keep me sane!
DeleteDon't feel like a bad mother... you recognized what you wanted to change and are trying to do so. That's the sign of an excellent mother!
ReplyDeleteIt's always hard to remember to be patient and take that moment before reacting to your own child's outburst. I remember someone telling me how they wished they could be as patient as I was with kids.. um, yeah, that person hadn't seen me go bananas on the boys about 30 minutes prior. We're human, we lose it sometimes. Great job getting refocused! I'm still trying that with my 4 & 5 year olds, and hoping the 1 year old doesn't push me over the edge shortly (just kidding)!
haha that is too funny. It is the worst feeling being so frustrated with them
DeleteAbout to enter the world of having a two year old.....tomorrow! Though I'm sure it will be more of today...haha
ReplyDeletegood luck! I hope you have an easy going 2 year old :)
DeleteI just wanted to tell you that there's nothing in the world like a 2-year-old (or 3-year-old, for that matter) in terms of multiple personalities. It DOES get better, eventually. And you're so right, breathing through it and remembering you're the adult even when you want to react like said two-year-old makes all the difference in the world. Sending you deep breaths and tons of patience-- toddler moms unite!
ReplyDeleteoh no 3 year olds! She will have even more opinions. I don't know if I will make it
DeleteTerrible Twos are just practice for Miserable Teens. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletethat's all I think about! she will be living with auntie then
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