That's how you would describe my patience - spread thin.
It takes all my grit, and steel and spirit to keep a check on Figlia. I don't want to keep check actually. I indulge her when she is doing the bits she is upto, but most days, she tries to push her limits.
Figlia does not take "No" for an answer, and 'No' and 'Dont' have ruled our house for quite a while. In a first, yesterday she purposefully woke up the napping baby twice. One time, the baby had just gone down for a nap. It just made me want to pull my hair out.
Today post-lunch, she spilled a whole glass of water on the floor and and danced cute on it. Then she took out her wet socks and neatly wiped her hands with them. Two adults were busy dissuading, but she just kept on with what she was doing.
She refuses to go pee till they declare a national emergency on it. I have persuaded her, begged her, played logical, and not so logical, told her stories about what happens when one does not pee, and about 8 days back she got slapped because she would not pee, and I knew she had a full bladder (she woke up in the morning, and decided that there was no HtwoO in her that she wanted to release). I have coerced her and threatened her with punishment, and well, there is still a deadlock on peeing.
Her school and activity class people tell me that she is bright and active and very responsive...that she does not harass them for things, and yet my daughter is just a bazooka at home.
I told her dad on the phone what she did today, and when she came on the phone and learnt what her dad was talking about, she just kept the receiver away, and then told me that she was done talking.
Sending strength...at least the strength I can spare from dealing with my own strong willed crew. I feel for you.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, you are actually doing very well, I would have totally lost it. We do have periods like that occasionally and I can't wait for that to stop. it is obviously attention seeking behaviour and the best would be to ignore it (according to everyone who some how manages to do so), but waking a sleeping baby? That would be major melt down on my part!! Sending love and strength
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! Done talking - she is hilarious. Well, when I'm half a world away and don't have to be the one to deal with her stubbornness, she's hilarious. I imagine you find it to be less so.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good when they save that behavior for home, rather than unleashing it on the world. That means home is a safe place where they feel comfortable taking chances. Frustrating for you, though.
Probably a combination of things: a move from her normal home, not having her father around consistently, a new baby and combine that with her age, seems like she is acting out because of all of it. My youngest grandson is 19 months old and takes a sip of juice out of his sippy cup then either sprays it around or spits it on the floor. Sometimes you have to pick your battles. Hoping once you are back to your usual home and have some consistency, which is key, things will improve.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really... interesting... age. And very trying with major changes. Hang in there. I know it's hard, I really do... I have many days like that. Okay, EVERY day seems to be another hard day. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I just keep telling myself that it has to get easier eventually... or at least, not as difficult.
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