(Disclaimer...I did a post similar to this sometime last year. Well here we go again...)
Did you know that being 3 can be harder than being 2? Yes, it's true. And I'm not sure whom it's harder on--you or the momma who spends all day trying to parent you.
You see, when you're 3, stuff bugs you and no one can figure out why. You might wake up smiling, but that quickly fades when you realize someone else picked the cereal you wanted and they got to put it on the counter first. Then you will be upset when you wanted the orange bowl and there weren't any left. If there are orange bowls available, the same upset will occur if the spoon is not the matching shade of orange to coordinate with your bowl. Oh, and you won't appreciate the wisdom in Mom's "Get what you get and you don't throw a fit" ditty.
Next you will be mad that one of your sisters sat on the stool you had secretly claimed as yours. After making a second choice, your stool is bound to be pushed too far in or out, and once again mommy will have to coach you on manners on how to ask nicely for an adjustment. You don't appreciate the lesson and begin whining and crying for your teddy bear. When told that no, mommy won't be complying with the request, your volume and hopping ability immediately escalate. You are removed to the bathroom to calm yourself down and everone gets to enjoy the lovely not-so-muffled toddler serenade. You eventually regain your composure and are let out of your confinement, and breakfast proceeds. You happily wave the girls off to school and it's just you and Mom to tackle the morning.
You are happy to watch a bit of Sesame Street or Super "Y" until Mom says it's time to shut the TV off. Then the next battle ensues...getting dressed. Inevitably, you won't appreciate the socks going on (though later, no one dare try to take them off--they've become special to you) and then you won't like any of the pants available to wear. You'll want to stand up and pull them up yourself, except you're still learning how and that infuriates you. And your shirts--you'll deem most to be acceptable, except when you want to stay in your cereal crusted pajama top all day and Mom says no.
So finally it's time to get dressed to go wherever we're going in this freezing weather. You get to pick whether you want boots or shoes, but somehow neither will make you happy. And you'll also want to do those yourself--which is hit or miss of course. Suddenly you are convinced that the shoes that fit yesterday are suddenly too tight, or your boots don't come up as high as you want them to. So finally we get your coat on and move on to the hat and mittens. You insist on the hat that itches or bugs your ears, and no amount of fixing will make it right. Same with the mittens--those darn thumb holes. Mom finally scoops you up and out to the van, and your fit escalates more as you wanted to open the door yourself, climb into the seat yourself, etc. etc. Then the seat belt that was fine yesterday is too tight today. Mom ignores your complaints and you eventually forget about why you were mad.
The rest of the day includes more of the same. And have I mentioned that you're in that in-between nap stage? Many days you could use one, but then you're often awake 'til all hours. We've been through this before with 2 other children. This too shall pass.
In the meantime, Mom prays often for wisdom as to when to use timeouts, when to spank and when to instruct or distract. She also prays for a lot of self control with her own words and actions--not always succeeding. But God is good. His mercies are new every morning. I bet you wouldn't guess by this post that most days I actually enjoy hanging out with my little guy, and that I love being a stay at home mom. Well, believe it or not, it's true. I'm even looking forward to doing this all again one more time, beginning in February.
P.S. I'm actually not looking for sympathy or advice. Writing about it just helps me see the humor in it all.
And I've said this before and I'll say it again--It really is a good thing God makes them cute. Covers a multitude.
8 comments:
I love how you write these things. You get every point just right. And I totally hear about praying for wisdom. It's sometimes impossible to tell what is the right thing to do. And I've agonized later with guilt fearing I overreacted. It's good to remember that everything is just a phase.
We had one of those times with Emma recently. The shoes she wanted to wear to farm with grandpa were apparently too tight, but she didn't want to get her other shoes dirty (even though I told her we could clean them off). I seem to need to remind her that I am not a magic fairy that instantly make the perfect pair of shoes appear. She has to make a choice from what she has or miss out.
I am heading into my last 3 year old. The fourth child and final chapter of THREENESS!! I hear ya sisterfriend and I am praying for us both!!
Whoever coined the phrase "terrible twos??" I heart twos.
Ah, trying to come to terms with life's frustrations. You can tell Nathan that I'm still learning how to do this as well. Age 3 or 29, doesn't seem to make that much of a difference. Sometimes I want to throw a fit when my clothes don't feel right either.
Bria, ha! Good one.
I can SO relate! My Bella has the same tactile sensitivities as your Nathan! Thankfully the requests at four are OCCASIONALLY more polite!
Honestly, I remember the 3's like they were yesterday. Oh the trauma of trying to do things when nobody understands that you want to do it alone, but can't seem to get the hang of it.
My prayers are with you and know that with boys, turning four is like there is a new child in your house. Hang baby, hang.
I heart two's, too. Three's are a whole new level of crazy.
Glad you can see the humor in it, Kara. Thanks for sharing the funny side of the madness!
P.S. I love the part about "secretly" claiming the chair and then getting mad when someone else nabs it!
I will say "cuteness" AND the age of four is what I like lots.
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