Being a full time mum, to a toddler, is proving tough of late. My sassy baby girl, is fully embracing her 28 months and turning up her cheeky, to arsehole level!
My daughter may be cute but when I shout at her – she just shouts right back! I was sssh’d by her this week! She will stare me down, even ignore me completely; she will test my very limit. Look at me, square in the eye and repeat her forbidden behaviour, over and over.
I try and exercise my right as a parent and remove privileges, as necessary. No TV. No Toys. No visits to the park. It does nothing. She’s naughty. She knows it. She’s also two years old and doesn’t understand, the concept of consequences. My attempts to punish her, have been about as successful, as pinning jelly to the ceiling!
Face the wall! Sit on the naughty step! All wonderful theories but she doesn’t understand or grasp any of it. Like me, she also feels, that being asked to sit anywhere – isn’t a punishment. That said, my house is not a circus. There are rules. I tell her off, I tell her no, I explain dangers and reasons over and over. She will understand it all, just not quite yet.
It’s during this time, that I have opened my mouth and on several occasions, my mother has fallen out!
“Don’t do that! You will fall and split your difference!”
“You are so naughty, I don’t want to look at you right now!”
And my personal favourite (usually muttered under my breath).
“If I had shit on a shovel – you’d want it!”
Wow. My mum used to say these things to me! Of all the things to remember – I remember her hissy fits, once directed a little ole me.
We have taken several steps back. Meal times and bedtimes, have gone a little wayward. We have made huge leaps forward, as her communication is so clear, there is less frustration on both sides.
She’s independent and wants to do things by herself – just like me. However, I am still waiting, to visit the toilet without an audience. There is something quite horrifying, about your kid, handing you some toilet roll and saying “For you?”
Er …. thanks.
Underneath all the attitude, is a truly wonderful little girl. She shows me everyday, in lots of little ways, her kindness and compassion. Her little cuddles and kisses each day, make everything worth it. In the still of the night, when we are both exhausted, she will stroke my arm and say “I love you Mummy “.
I love you too my Angel. Goodnight sweet girl. See you in the morning time.
That’s morning! – just to clarify. Not in two hours or at 2am. I would love to get a solid 6 hour sleep if possible.
When I was a baby, I went to bed late and slept late. Whenever I tell my mum about a tough night, she smiles. I would like to think, it’s a knowing smile of experience. A warm smile as she reminisces about me as a cute baby…
My bubble is burst when my mum pipes up with.
“Well, you were a cowbag when you were this age!”
Ah, I know what the smile was for now. She was inwardly enjoying my comeuppance.
Charming!