The "terrible two's" expression does not exist for nothing. I am sure parents have a lot of tales to tell regarding the terrible two's stage.
While I may agree that EJ has his tantrums, he is not unmanageable. Sure, he cries if he doesn't get what he wants. But we've learned how to deal with it. We just distract him and in less than five minutes he is appeased. I usually follow this up with a "talk". I explain why he can't always get what he wants. And more often than not he answers "okay mommy" or "alright mom". I am not sure if he understand the words I tell him. But I am pretty sure he gets the idea.
Today though was a different story. As we had lunch at home, I decided to go down together with EJ and hubby. I was planning to go to the bookstore to let EJ run around (we usually do this) and then choose a book to buy afterwards. Hubby went back to work. On the way to the bookstore, EJ noticed that his daddy was not around anymore. He asked me "daddy work?" When I nodded yes, he started crying. I distracted him by saying we're going to the bookstore to buy books, but it didn't work. He said "don't..like..books!" Now he was really crying complete with "sipon". Hehehe. So I asked him calmly, what do you want? In between sobs he said, "home".
So I pushed the stroller back home. He seemed to stop crying. When we arrived home, he cried again and wanted to go outside. I asked him, "you want to go to the bookstore?" "No, don't like books!" he yelled. As understand it, he wanted to go outside of the building. I would have given in to his wish but it was scorching hot and I know that once outside he would just complain.
Seeing me not budge, he threw a fit. He pushed the jigsaw puzzle off the table, yanked the HDMI switch, and scattered all the neatly arranged toys. Then he ran to the door and tried to open it while crying and saying "mommy, pint (open)".
Surprisingly I was not irritated at all. So I purposely didn't distract him. I just let him be. I thought he needed a release of his emotions somehow. And I know that he was tired and very sleepy.
After a few minutes, he came to me still sobbing and said "mommy bed". I carried him for a while before putting him to bed. When I laid him on the bed he was half asleep already. But I still explained why we couldn't go out of the house. And promised to take him out later when it's not so hot anymore. I told him there was no need to cry. He answered "okay mommy". Before he dosed off I told him I love him.
4 comments:
Sometimes we really have to be firm to our children and learn when to say no. I admire how you made it a point to explain the reason behind your action.
sounds like me when i make "tampo"...lol. after i'd create a scene, i'd walk off to my room, lock it, and not talk for hours. after that, i'll come out and ask, "what's there to eat?"
i really like how you still explained to EJ why he couldn't go out at that time. that is so sweet =).
Alam mo Neng, for his age ang bait talaga ni EJ!!!
Rachel - It's not always easy to be firm. But we have to do :)
Kayni - I think talking/explaining things to him is necessary and I see it's paying off. He really listens.
Mader - Thank you. But of course there are times when I want to give up especially if I'm not in the mood too. Hahaha
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