Ok, so people have warned me that 3 is a harder age then the terrible 2's. I just didn't believe them until Nora turned 3. Wow, they were not kidding. Today has been a nightmare. It all started when she woke up this morning. She was bound and determined to buck the system. She totally acts like she is a teenager. She ignores me when I speak to her, she yells and whines at me, she stomps her feet, she tells me no, she talks in this annoying baby talk all the time, she pouts when you try to do something fun. Some days I could just scream and pull my hair out! There are some days that I say I do not like being a parent. Parenting is so hard. Like today Jason was off so we were going to go to the zoo but Nora was so out of control we had to lay down the law and say NO. It was so hard to say we are not going because we wanted to do something fun together today but we had no choice. So we stayed home and she cleaned up all her toys in the living room, playroom and her bedroom. Even still she was being so defiant. But Jason and I stayed on her the whole day and even this evening. I felt like the Big Bad Wolf. I love Nora so very much and I wouldn't trade her for the world but sometimes I wish I could just choose to be her friend and not her mommy. This is such a hard stage. I know we will get through it because we have survived the other stages. Jason says "we just got to nip it in the bud." So that is what we are working towards. If you have a 3 year old or you will have a 3 year old in the future here are some words of encouragement. Must not give in! Must keep going! Must stand strong! Tomorrow is a new day!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
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6 comments:
I love this line ... "it all started when she woke up" ... that pretty much sums up the day!! Good for you guys though ... not giving in to the zoo even though it was already planned! I hope today is better!!! (I'm sure she's still just as cute pouting)
Brandy, you guys are doing right to "nip it in the bud". It's toys and stomping feet now, but it will be curfews and stuff later. It's better to be the big bad wolf now. I'm not saying this b/c I've experienced it obviously, but just encouraging you--you guys are doing it right, even if it's hard! I know I'd rather it be hard now than when Lydia is 16!
I'm proud of y'all! I know it has got to be really, really hard to say "NO" to such an adorably sweet face (even if the attitudes behind the adorably sweet face are not quite so sweet). I feel like I meet people everyday whose parents didn't ever say "No". I'm so glad Nora won't grow up that way!
Hey Brandy,
I don't have kids, but as you know working in childrens ministry-you see how parents disicpline correct and incorrect. As I always say, "If you can't control them when their 2, forget about 16." She is very smart for her age. She is testing the waters to see what she can get away with. She knows exactly what she is doing. :)You and Jason are great parents.
Natalie
P.S. Staci told me how much fun she had a camp with you guys. I am so jealous I didn't go.
Awww Brandy, I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability! Sounds like you're getting a lot of good advice. As a teacher, I see how it is when parents don't say no. It's what our parents always told us that we always hated to hear: "You're going to thank me for this one day". And she will!!
Ummm, I teach in a public high school. Enough said! I see some really bad kids, and I have sat in on parent / teacher / student conferences where it's so obvious that the kid is in charge.
I don't even have children, and I am learning that "nipping it in the bud" is probably the best solution. I'm sure you and Jason are making the right decisions, but it's got to be hard with that cute face. :)
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