So last week Hayden was kind of...difficult. He's been a hard kid since he was born to be honest. Lately he's very disobedient and mean. He hits Halle, knocks her over, and basically does anything I ask him not to. He's your typical 2.5 year old who's testing everyone. It was so frustrating to me! I lost it and just started yelling a few times, which I am not proud of. No amount of timeouts was working and he started yelling back at me. Who can blame him? I was teaching him that's what you do when you are mad. I have no idea how to teach him to listen and I know I'm doing a horrible job.
And then on Friday he made the biggest mess. I realize he is known for this, but just look. I was upstairs putting the baby down for a nap which only took about 10 minutes. Hayden in that time had gone into our laundry room where we have a food storage cupboard, which Hayden never knew existed. He found it and found a big container of oatmeal and one of powdered lemonade. He dumped the entire containers into a veggie steamer tray in the living room, carried it to the couch, and carried it to the kitchen to stir it with a spatula. Since it was a steamer, it had holes in the bottom and the entire kitchen and living room floors were covered. He just does these crazy things that test me so much. I just want to lock him in his room till daddy gets home every single day.
So during conference I was searching for ways to be a better mom. How do I teach him and how do I control my anger so I don't lose it all the time? My answer: love. I'm not sure how I'm going to remind myself when he, yet again, smacks Halle right in the face, but I will. I'm not saying I forget that I love him. I know I always love him, but that's not what I'm thinking about when I'm upset. I really do love this little boy. He's cute even when he's naughty sometimes. A lot of times he's trying to help when I get frustrated with him. Sometimes he makes us laugh so hard. I know that if I were paying attention more often, we would see how funny and smart he always is, and spend less time frustrated with him. I need to remember that he's still a baby! He's only 2.5! I know I have a long way to go. Lots of repenting and lots of changing, but here's to being a better mom.
8 comments:
Erin I know exactly how you feel. Denton does the same things to Amy. But I have a hard time telling Denton to stop, when Amy is sitting there laughing on the floor.
Oh Erin... I'm so sorry. I have to agree I am on the frustrated wagon these days too. I'm pretty sure every kid knows just what buttons to push to upset their parents, they know where we are weakest.
What a bummer. Luckily my experience has been that kids pass through phases pretty quickly so hopefully this won't last too long. Good luck, your a good woman!
Ditto! Kyle isn't even two yet, so I'm scared for the future. He already makes those kind of messes. He's so fun at the same time!
Sorry to hear about your struggles. We are heading into the terrible twos with Sammy as well and I am also trying hard to find other ways to deal with the stress rather than yelling, but it really can be hard!
Erin...I am so sorry. I have been there (yelling at Owen, and the guilt, and the feeling helpless to know what to do). I hope things look up. I am currently reading a book called positive parenting by Dr. Latham (I think Gary Latham). It is really life changing. Even better than Love and Logic. I borrowed the book from a friend with some doubts, but I really, really like it. It might help? I just started it, so I can't give a whole hearted thumbs up but I'm on chapter 3, I have already tried to implement it's principles so far, and I have noticed a difference in my kids and most of all ME already...just in a day.
You are such a good mommy! I am having the same problems with Liv, just in an orderly fashion! :) It is so frustrating when they blatantly disobey you. Just know that you are not alone in feeling this way! Best of luck!
Addie is only 15 months, but she's already to the tantrums and the hitting and showing anger... I am shocked and dont even know where she would learn such things, but oh its hard somedays being a mom for all of us! Im in the same boat! I wish i could control myself more and be the 'perfect' mom that i would love to be. *sigh* Im trying, and I hope she knows that much at least...
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