breath

Let's talk about 2 year olds. They are hard work! I always felt like most of the time I had control of situations with any child I've worked with. It's so different with Elinor. I don't want to say she knows how to get to me because that would be saying she's manipulative but she acts out and gives me this look. She totally knows what she's doing isn't ok but continues to do while giving me this stink eye. Oh little girl!

I had one really bad day recently. From the second she woke up, it was bad news. I lost it. She was in time out so many times that I lost count. I screamed and felt like a terrible mother.

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.

listen

I just posted this picture on instagram

It is so sweet and Elinor looks like she is trying so hard. We came home from dance class and Dave gave her bubble wrap. She decided to try her tip toes across them. But at dance class she did the opposite. She ran in circles around the teach, threw herself out and cried. She did have moments she was super into a song or something the class was doing but for most of the class I was sweating and getting so frustrated.

When we started dance class, she did awesome. It was so surprising to see this little tiny not even 2 year old stand next to the 3 year olds and do every move the teacher asked. I don't know if she is just too comfortable in there now or just bored. She can't move up to the next class for another year so either we will take a break for awhile or figure out what's going on.

I'm a big believer in books helping the problem. I think we will make a trip to the library soon and check out some books on ballet and following directions, which has been a problem at home also. "Elinor it's time to put your coat on, we are leaving now" "NNNOOOOO! I don't want to go! I don't like it!" That is also after a lot of warnings that we are leaving soon. Little miss independent always has her own plans. I feel like I'm saying "Elinor, are you listening? Look at my face. Let me see your eyes." all day.

Any suggestions out there??