Terrible Twos or Terrific Twos--A Bit of Both

 

Joseph turned two on January 19.  He contracted a nasty tummy flu on January 26 and is just now completely recovered from its ill effects.  Well, at least it would appear so...if I were a superstitious woman, I would swear that said tummy virus altered his personality and that is why he is suddenly screeching, shaking his head back and forth, throwing his sturdy little body onto the ground and banging his precious little head on the floor in frustration.

When does he do this, you ask?  Hmmm...when mommy attempts to cut his pancakes, when mommy picks him up during Mass, when anyone tries to take off his shoes and socks, when any family member attempts to protect him from being nailed by his sister swinging in the backyard, when one of his servants delays getting the little prince his juice in a timely manner.  He was absolutely inconsolable when I refused his wish to eat  candy for dinner.  And yes, this is the sixth two-year old I have raised.  I know the drill.  These refusals are done lovingly.  I do not like labels, but if I had to  explain my parenting style to someone, I would say attachment-parenting with common sense would be a good definition.  :)  Unfortunately, it would appear that a two year old doesn't react well to common-sense parenting.  

Oh, and this is the kid who is playing football in the backyard right now with his Daddy and big brother.  Happy as a lark, he runs to and fro excited, joyful, cute as a button.  Good thing.  If he didn't have these "terrific" moments, the "terrible" ones would cause me to lose my mind! 

But, in good times and bad, I am so grateful for this little guy.  God love him and God keep me sane.  Amen.

Comments

[Cmerie]

I know how you feel right now, because I'm in the same place. My ds turned 2 the beginning of November, and we also added baby #2 the end of November. It seems I've been in a never ending battle with him since then. I sit down to nurse, he's immediatly in something, or running around like a crazy man. If I turn my back, he's probably trying to "wash" his fat little hands in the toilet. If he doesn't get down from the table the MOMENT he's done eating, we'll hear how displeased he is with us. But on the flip-side, he's so snuggly in the morning, and still has a little bit of baby left in him. God makes them cute for a reason, I think. ;-)

[Jennifer in TX]

It is much harder to handle the two's with a newborn. You are doing great! And you are correct, God does make them cute for a reason! :) God bless your day!

[Elizabeth Shearer]

Oh Jennifer! I feel for you. A few weeks after Kolbe turned two in October, he turned on me. I remember talking to you soon after and saying "where did my little sweet baby go?" Kolbe now knows the corner very well and has learned the line "I'm sad Mama," when he gets in trouble for hitting, pushing or throwing things. I pretty much flipped out when he started getting physical with his OLDER sister! Still, as you said there are so many cuuuute things he does and says. Having the mostly good/bad balance (and the grace!) are the only things that keep me sane with my Totally Two Year Old! :)