The best word to describe this week is troublesome. It hasn’t been a bad week and some parts of it have been really quite good, and lovely, but the children at least have definitely been a bit troublesome at times.
Monkey’s behaviour has certainly kept us on our toes this week. I’m not sure exactly why but since starting playgroup (which is going really well, more on that next week as I don’t want to tempt fate at the moment!) his behaviour had home has gone a little downhill. Whether it is because he is more tired as now twice a week he has busy afternoons, whereas before he nearly always had quiet, restful afternoons, whether it is because he is seeing other children’s behaviour at playgroup, or whether he is just acting up because we have started taking him to playgrup and because his baby sister is taking up a lot of my attention, I am really not sure.
Or it could just he growing into the terrible twos which we have been lucky with up until this point. Either way, the tantrums have stepped up a notch as has the yelling of no and don’t want to at every opportunity. It is taking threats to get him to eat even his favourite foods. That sounds worse than it is, I basically just threaten to throw it away (and he knows we are serious as we have done it in the past) which makes him suddenly realise he does want to eat it after all when he likes the food anyway, if he doesn’t want to eat it at all he just says ok, so I have to follow through!). He has been on the naughty spot after daddy lost it with him on a car journey when he was trying to get out of his car seat. He is threatened with going straight to bed with no stories every night in order to get him to have a bath, which is getting old. We then have another tantrum when it is time to get out of the bath,. He doesn’t want to get in but then loves it so much he doesn’t want to get out.
Sometimes in addition to the threats his toys “talk” to him and they are often much more successful at persuading him to eat something or do something than Mummy and Daddy are! His postman pat toy (and this morning LM’s squeaky crocodile) helps at mealtimes and Herbie the hedgehog (a hand puppet) helps persuade him to do things in the evenings. In some ways I really don’t like doing this, but also I just can’t handle the stress of having stand-offs when trying to get him to do the simplest things. As at the moment there is about a hundred stand-offs a day and I don’t have the energy!
I do feel for him though as I know a lot of it is just attention seeking. His baby sister is also being troublesome this week which is taking a lot of my attention. I am trying really hard to focus on him too but it’s not easy when she won’t stay asleep for more than half an hour at a time and is also fussy when she is awake. Not entirely sure why this is,but she is starting to teethe and is dribbling loads and chewing her teeth constantly. Monkey got his 1st tooth at 4 mths so I guess it is not a complete surprise but she is definitely more restless too.
It’s difficult to know if this is because of the teething or something else but I do feel like it is potentially giving her tummy aches, (apparently this is due to the properties in their drool, which when swallowed creates gas in their intestines(?)) so am on the hunt for teething remedies. We used ashton and parsons powders with Monkey but they contain lactose and while she is fussy anyway it doesn’t seem the right time to re-introduce lactose to her diet. Thanks to all the twitter peeps for their help with suggestions, fingers crossed we find something that works. I am intrigued by amber necklaces and anklets but not convinced yet, we have some teethers from Dr Brown’s on the way and have just started using Chamomilla by Weleda, so I am sure I will keep you posted!
Toys getting kids to do things is the best thing ever.
Lizzie Dripping
haha it works! (Sometimes ;))
Oh gosh, that sounds like you’re having some battles on one form or another at the moment. I do sympathise and hope it settles down a bit soon.
Oh dear….You have had a troublesome time…..Toys getting kids to do things is fantastic….If it saves an argument it’s a good thing! I hope things are better soon x
I can relate with your frustration and though my four-year-old hasn’t been difficult since starting reception, I remember the days when she was just being difficult. All I can say is that it’s a phase, one that I’m sure will be over soon 🙂 #wotw.
thank you! I keep reminding myself and actually things have been a little easier so far this week
Gosh it does sound like you’ve got your hands full at the moment… I’m struggling enough just dealing with my toddler’s challenging behaviour and I don’t have a teething baby to comfort too! I hoe it all settles down for you soon x
Oh dear, not an easy week at all. I remember Boo acting up a bit when she started nursery, I think they realise they have some independence and like to assert it! And yes, as you say, he’s most probably tired, too. Do reward charts work with him? Boo used to love them, so that tended to be our go-to when we were looking for behavioural change. I hope you can find something that works for teething, too. We use Nelsons, but I suspect they have lactose in them, too. I have heard good things about amber, though like you, I’m not sure I get it! Hope next week is less troublesome x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Thanks lovely, that is a good call with reward charts actually, we havent tried that before. He is doing a bit better this week but will definitely bear them in mind! xx
Oh goodness *hugs*. This sounds like a very troublesome week indeed and I hope next one will be much better! Good thinking on using the toys to get through to him.xx
Oh dear, I know what you mean. Jumpy is two as well, and our little lady actually tells us off! She is refusing the food, doesn’t want to sit in the pram, demands things… I just keep telling myself it’s just a phase and she’ll grow out of it. Good luck with it all, lovely! x #wotw
Thaks lovely and good luck to you, sounds like we both need it! xx
That sounds like a tough week. Nursery is sure to be making your son more tired which will effect his behaviour at home. When my middle son was in his pre school year he tried so hard to be good in nursery (and he was exceptional) but when he came home it all came out for us to deal with!
As for your daughter being troublesome have you tried wearing her in a sling around the house to settle her and leave your hands free to do things with your son. This was a life saver for me with my youngest when she was small.
Thanks lovely, we did have her in a sling when she was tiny but she generally sleeps well in her bed so havent for a while, I keep meaning to get it out again but haven’t so I must give it another try! xx
I think Monkey’s new behavior is a result of all those reason. Looks like e tough week for you. Hope next week you will have a better and not a troublesome one. #wotw
All of this sounds so familiar! Two year olds are brilliant and so difficult at the same time. Sending lots of positive vibes and hugs your way! Keep up the excellent work you’re doing, mumhood is tough! #wotw
Amy x
Oh dear. Harry started to be a bit like Monkey when he first started nursery too. It does get better 🙂 x
I hope things have settled down. Ethan is playing up too and I’m sure it’s for attention, he is throwing things even at nursery. Little E is also very demanding, I thought it was a girl thing perhaps it is her teeth x
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