Terrible threes
They say that children go through the terrible twos, but I really think it’s the terrible threes. Either that or my child’s emotional growth is stunted. 
Pumpkinhead’s whine-to-dulcet tone ratio is rapidly spiraling out of balance in favor of the former. Every morning it’s “Don’t talk to meeee. Don’t looooook at me! I’m tiiiiiired!!! I don’t waaaannnnnttt breakfast.” In the car it’s “Don’t sing! Don’t talk! I’m huuunnnnggry!!!” Just when I’m ready to lock myself in the closet, he comes over, puts his hand on my cheek, kisses my nose and says, “I love you, Mommy.” Little bugger. LOL!
I’m concerned about this trend because it seems to be getting worse as he gets closer to four (he’s a mid-summer baby). I’m also wondering how things will play out when school starts. Yesterday we spent two hours of concentrated fun at the playground and library and he was relatively well-behaved. I’m planning to block out two hours of Saturday morning Mommy/Pumpkinhead time once school starts, but I don’t know how well that’s going to work during summer classes when we’re there four nights a week and have to cram the entire course into six weeks. We’re already committed to accompany an elderly family member to church on Sunday mornings which takes three hours (commute, church time, breakfast preparation/visiting). I think I’m just going to have to be uber-prepared or ask my parents to really step up with some extra-fun activities this summer to detract from my absence. Don’t get me wrong — I’m really psyched to start school. I’m just concerned that the negative aspects of his behavior will become magnified when I’m running on less sleep and more pressure….
March 11th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Well, ever since Boris was born, we’ve noticed that hitting really increases as an attention-getting behavior when Hamlet isn’t getting enough. We try to head it off with daily quality time - Rain Dog reads most bedtime stories, while I try to do that about once a week (and especially when I’ve been on deadline). I might take him shopping on the weekends or even just fifteen minutes here and there playing with him - building a block city, letting him chase me, etc. Or, honestly, watching one of his TV shows with him so we can chat about it.
I think no matter how strapped you are, you always find the time for the things and people that matter most to you. For me, the writing still gets done, and the kids still get time. Housework? Not so much.
March 11th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
It does get better…just wait for those fun teen years.
I hope you have a great week.