Toddlerhood
Well, it's finally hit us. We have a toddler. And?
I miss my baby!
One of my friends has a newborn right now. I know she's not getting sleep and it's hard and she's recovering... but that cute little baby isn't throwing tantrums yet! Well at least not about the things E is throwing tantrums about. Because if he was upset only because he was hungry or tired, that I could do! I have a year's experience on that!
But how do I explain to him that no, you cannot run into the road? Because I tried.. and got screams. He would throw himself to the ground, scream, and then jump up and run to the road again. And I'd stop him again. Rinse, Lather, Repeat.
UGH.
I speak in soothing tones, I give hugs when he lets me, I try to say yes to as much as I can... but it's a hard time in his life, and therefore, he screams. And in my head I silently die, because I hate it so much.
Some nights it just feels like too much. He'll go from laughing and giggling to throwing himself on the floor in a fit, to laughing again in the span of 2 minutes. And the cycle will continue for hours. He has a very clear vision of what he wants to happen, and anything that deviates from that will cause immediate meltdowns.
His toy got stuck. He didn't like what he was eating. I didn't let him play with an electrical cord. The wind blew in his face. Who knows.
I know it's normal. I know it won't last. But boy, that doesn't make it any easier!