However, she has developed quite the baby attitude. While she is still content to sit and hang out, she needs someone to be sitting with her. Anyone really, it could be the cat for all she cares as long as it's someone. Otherwise the baby tude comes out, and she screams/squeals/fake cries until someone pays attention to her. If I ignore her temper tantrum (as I sometimes do, after making sure that she is absolutely fine and just being a pill) it escalates to an octave even higher, in that the dogs in the neighborhood start barking and wailing.
The power struggle has begun already. I knew it would happen eventually, but I am surprised at it happening this early. While Jimmy and I are not on the same page with a ton of things it seems, we are united on this. We will not have a brat child. Not happening. These baby fits are not here to stay, that is for sure.
I'm a fan of tough love, but I'm not a fan of being mean. I think there is a balance there, and that is what I strive to achieve. I can admit though that some days when my patience is thin, and the baby fit starts I wonder yet again what I got myself into. I'm so grateful that Brynlee is forgiving and is still excited to see me even if I've lost my patience and had to leave the room for a while.
Usually by the end of the day I'm counting down the minutes until it's her bed time and I can have some alone time or fun time for myself. Then I look at her sleeping and wonder how I could have been so frustrated at something so beautiful. I get disappointed in myself and vow to be more patient tomorrow. But the cycle repeats the next day and then I'm quickly reminded that she is cute for a reason. Otherwise no one would deal this crap!
Look at this face. It's impossible to stay frustrated with something so cute for long.
5 comments:
This makes me laugh...a little, sorry. I am totally with you on not wanting a brat child. We are pretty tough with Ryan on this (at least I like to think so), but there are still going to be those days when your child is a brat. Today at the park was one of those days for us. At least I admit it, right? From what I can tell, being tough on your kid is a good thing and can minimize those bratty moments. We thought Ry was being awful at church one week, but then someone told us after that he was an angel compared to the other kids in the room...moments like that make you feel less guilty for being so hard on them! Keep being tough with her and then others will think she is an angel even when you do not!
AH...welcome to motherhood! Sometimes, it's better to give in than to fight, especially on the brat front. It's not something that can be controlled 100% of the time! However, as long as you are guiding her, the bratiness will usually only come out when the parents are around. That is a battle won! And it's so true about the cute factor! If they weren't so cute...especially Brynlee! She is the cutest EVER.
Oh man...she should hang out with my little miss independent Charlotte. It gets pretty trying. It's slowly getting better as the communication barrier is breaking since Charlotte can say yes or no to my questions. Sometimes my stubbornness can come in handy because I can guarantee I'll ignore her fit longer than she can throw it. Then she comes over for a hug when she's done which I gladly give. All in good time it will be worth it but until they're like 4...we get to deal with it all! :)
Sorry Audrey...you wont have to wait till they are 4. More like 2 1/2 or earlier. Even worse, I keep getting told 3 is worse than 2! Help me!
Sorry I meant that they won't start growing out of it until around 4. I hear 3 is worse than 2 also and if that's the case I'm in trouble because Charlotte is only 20 months and she is already gettin' tough. As I type this on the laptop she keeps trying to sneak in and type stuff and take my phone and get into trouble. Gotta love little trouble makers :)
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