Like, no fever, no pain, no new teeth. I just can't figure it out. It is like she woke up on the wrong side of the bed for the past two days. From the moment she woke up and I went to pick her up it was screaming/crying. She screamed during the diaper change and getting dressed, she screamed as her dad carried her down the stairs, she cried while we attempted to feed her breakfast. She cried in the car while going to daycare. She probably cried the entire time she was there too but with my luck she was a great child at daycare saving her energy only to make my life hell.
Today I came home from work and everything seemed okay. She was playful and laughing and that lasted for about 15 minutes. From then on it was full out crying (unless she was eating a popicle and I ain't gonna lie, I let her have 3 of them just to have some peace and quiet!). Yesterday while driving to my sister's house I asked George to just pull over so that I could jump in the river. Yeah, that bad.
It's not like I can't handle a crying baby. I get that babies cry, I get that toddlers cry, I get the kids in general can and will cry. I just don't understand WHY she has been moody like that. There is no "logical" reason why she should be crying and that is what gets to me. It makes my head hurt, my skin crawl, and it takes every ounce of willpower to not just flip out.
I feel like she is crying because I did something to her. Yesterday when George and I left she was a pleasant little human for the babysitter. She was all smiles and playful. When I got home it was game on. Cry cry cry. Today when George picked her up she was excellent until I got home. Is she being a pest with me because she knows it gets under my skin? Is she a pest with me because she is mad that I don't give in to her everything? EVERYONE in my family will do whatever D wants in order to keep her quiet. Oh she wants Cheetos instead of apples. Okay. Oh she wants to bang on the keyboard on the computer. Okay. Oh she wants to slap your face because its fun? Okay. Oh she wants up...no down...no up...no down..Okay. I can't do that. I can not allow a 17 month old child to run my house. I can't let her start these bad habits can i?
So people, I'm asking you. How do you handle a toddler who is just....out of control?
Kudos to you for not letting D run your life. SO many parents do these days. It's ridiculous. It might help things in the long run to start making other people in the family make Demi mind as well. I don't think you can ever start too young with that. My sister had to tell her MIL to just let H cry sometimes and not run to him immediately every time he made a noise when he was like 2 months old. He figured out pretty quick that if he wanted attention, he just needed to cry.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don't think D is crying because she's rebelling against you or anything. I don't think she's old enough to make that sort of connection. She could be testing her boundaries with you though... she's getting to that age. Seeing JUST how much she can get away with with you.
I hope it's just a tooth coming in and you just can't see it! I'm sorry you guys are having a rough time!
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I think this is my life... every day. I just try to stay patient, remain firm and - to save my own sanity - get out of the house with him at least once a day. Even if it's just to run errands! Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteHope that this stage is just a stage and goes by quickly!!
ReplyDeleteWe have those days. Jason will come home and I'll be at my wit's end, and she's perfect for him. I think they know they can push their limits with their primary caregiver more so than anyone else. When Allison is entering a new phase of her development she can become very difficult. Like everything else, it's just a phase, and shall pass. I have found that offering her a choice when it comes to clothes, snacks, etc. does keep the peace. She just wants to feel like she has some control.
ReplyDeleteKelly you have no idea how frustrating it is to hear her over the phone being a great darling little girl and then being a demon spawn when I walk through the door. That is just insane.
ReplyDeleteDemi doesn't want a choice, she wants to run the show!
My mom swears they have growing pains. Maybe she crys when you're around because she wants your attention? Sebastian is like that. I put up the baby gate in his room and stick him in there with his toys and then sit in the middle of the room reading out loud to him. If he wants me to play with him, he will usually come to me, otherwise, he just plays alone but knows that I'm there.
ReplyDeleteIf he gets mad and keeps crying or tries to hit, I leave him in there to cool down. Which he does within 5 minutes. Toys are way more fun than crying. It is tough walking away but it works.
Kids have bad days too, just like we do. I love the whole child psychology and analysis thing. Have made a career out of studying it on the side. But truth be told, sometimes kids just cry and are unhappy. You do the best you can and what you're supposed to do to make them feel better. But it's just as possible for them to wake up on the wrong side of the bed as it is for us. But you're right; nothing is worse than watching your kid cry and not being able to do anything to soothe them. I hope this was just a tooth coming in!
ReplyDeleteMy son is only 6mo, and we already have days like this. I've been adjusting his sleep schedule, which has definitely cut back on the screaming time.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird though...he'll just be in a screaming mood some days. The doc says it's his teething, and I wouldn't know a thing about that because my first didn't have any problems - his teeth came in in pairs, and all right in a row, and it didn't bother him much.
I'm seriously thinking of having my ear canals permanently plugged!