Tuesday, May 25, 2010

My Son, the Never-Nude

I don't know what it is about Tuesdays, but I think they are out to get me. Last week, you'll recall, was the great soccer debacle. Today puttered along, somewhat inoffensively, until it came time to give Daniel his bath. Then all hell broke loose.

I'm still not sure what happened. I was filling the bath and Peter was attempting to undress Daniel. When he got to the diaper, Daniel FREAKED out. Crying hysterically, refusing to get in the bathtub. I held him and tried to comfort him, but firmly explained that he would have to take a bath. He continued to cry, even when I offered to get his much-loved bubbles so he could play with them in the tub. Peter and I managed to get his diaper off, but that only made him more upset. He was clinging to my neck, crying and screaming, for no apparent reason other than not wanting to be naked in the bathtub.

I carried him into his room and explained that he would have to go right to bed if he didn't take a bath. He was okay with that. Peter removed all books and toys from Daniel's crib while I dressed him in his pajamas. I gave Daniel one last choice between going to bed (without milk, books, or cuddle time) or taking a bath. He made his choice, and I placed him in his crib. As I left his room, I heard him start to cry.

About 10 minutes later, after he had calmed down, I went into his room to see if he had changed his mind. Somehow, I convinced him to take a bath in my jacuzzi tub. I even offered to get in the tub with him. With bubbles, soap, and washcloth in hand, we made our way down the hall to Mommy's bathroom. Daniel was happy to help me start the tub, but not so happy when it came to getting in. I climbed in first and was only able to lift him into the tub if he remained fully diapered. It was bizarre -- he has NEVER exhibited this phobia before.

He stood in the tub while I soaped him up, rinsed him, and washed his hair. His diaper grew heavier and heavier with each cupful of water that I poured over his body. I continued to ask if I could remove his diaper, and he kept saying, "No, not right now." He was contentedly playing with his bubbles, allowing me to wash him, but he would not permit diaper removal. At the very end of the bath, before lifting him out and drying him off, I managed to get his diaper off. It weighed about 20 pounds. My son, the never-nude, had won this battle. But at least he was clean!

I'm completely stressed out about the situation. Will the bath time freak-outs continue? Will Daniel call a moratorium on baths and show up at school looking like Pigpen from the Peanuts comic strip? Is this yet another example of irrational, defiant, 3-year-old behavior...that is completely normal? My gray hairs are getting grayer as I type.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

One of Those Days

"I should have stayed in bed today," read a friend's Facebook status update. "Like," I clicked. Boy, did I know how she felt. Today was one of those days when you just feel defeated. Like you can't do anything right, and everyone is out to get you. Especially your almost three-year-old.

It started this morning, as I prepped Daniel for soccer class. Not wanting a repeat of last week's whiny and defiant behavior, I reminded him that he didn't get to go to McDonald's after last week's class because he hadn't listened to me or the coach. I asked him if he would listen this week and he said yes.

Soccer started out okay. We did a couple of stretches and running games. Daniel was kind of into it until he tripped and fell. He started crying and insisted that I pick him up and carry him. We walked around like that for a couple of minutes, and he seemed to be calming down. Then it was time to line up for a team photo. The photographer arranged all of the kids on a bench. Some were standing and some were seated, but all of them did what they were told. Not my son. He refused to stand where the photographer directed him. I tried to persuade him, to no avail. One of the other Moms even tried to bribe him with a cookie if he would pose for the picture! Still, he refused. I walked away, furious, and left him behind. I figured that he would cooperate if I wasn't standing over him. I was wrong. He burst into tears. The coach tried to console him and encouraged him to pose for the picture with the rest of the team. He kept crying and saying no. So I picked him up and left. That was it. No photo, no more soccer class. It was halfway through the class time and I couldn't take anymore. I told Daniel that we were leaving and not coming back. We were going straight home for the second week in a row. I was furious and upset, and felt like I was ready to burst into tears at any second. I felt like a terrible mother, I was embarrassed, and I felt like my child had completely walked all over me.

Later in the afternoon, we had a play date at a friend's house. I probably should have cancelled it based on the way the day was going, but it had already been rescheduled twice and I just wanted to get it over with. Daniel refused to go into the house at first, and once he was inside, he had no interest in playing with the other child. That would've been fine, but he wasn't sharing well and wanted me to follow him wherever he went. The clingy-ness was probably a result of him knowing how angry I was with him for his earlier behavior. He warmed up a bit and seemed to be content. But we stayed for dinner, and Daniel decided that the dinner table was a perfect place to reveal his new bad word, "Dammit." He was saying it under his breath, but I could hear him perfectly. I could tell he was trying to get a reaction out of his friend and the friend's mother, and I was mortified. I kept talking over him, louder and louder, in the hopes that they wouldn't catch on to what Daniel was really saying. I'm still not sure if I was successful. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to get out of there.

It's not even 8:00 and I am exhausted. I feel like I failed at everything today. Every decision I made was wrong. All I want to do is crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head. Peter is putting Daniel to bed because I am so totally done with him for today. The best part of all this?Daniel has the day off from school tomorrow AND Peter isn't coming home until late tomorrow night. Is it possible for tomorrow to be worse than today? I guess I have no choice but to wait and find out.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

More Upcoming Events in the Philly Area


Each year, the Lulu Shrine Circus delights children and adults of all ages! This year, the 69th Annual Lulu Shrine Circus is coming to Plymouth Meeting on the following dates:

-- Friday, May 28th at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm
-- Saturday, May 29th at 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm
-- Sunday, May 30th at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm

In addition to the live performances, there will be a bicycle giveaway at each show. Call for more information: 1-800-898-LULU or check out the website at Lulu Shrine Circus.


"If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" is playing at the Arden Children's Theatre, 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, from April 14th through June 13th. For more information, or to buy tickets, visit the Arden Theatre website.



Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Upcoming Kid-Friendly Events in Philly

A fellow Mom recently inquired about where I look to find out about all of the cool activities I do with Daniel. This blog seems as good a place as any to compile a list of upcoming events that I've heard about. With apologies to my non-Philly area readers, I will update the list whenever something new pops up. Don't worry -- I'll continue to write about the trials and tribulations of being a stay-at-home Mom! But I figured it was important information to share with my fellow Moms, so here's the first edition of "Upcoming Kids Events in Philly:"

-- Touch-a-Truck will be in East Norriton on Sunday, May 16th, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. It will be held in the parking lot of the Facenda-Whitaker Bowling Center. More information is available on Playgroundbuzz.com.

-- Day Out With Thomas is coming to the Strasburg Railroad next month! From June 12th through June 20th, you can take a ride on everyone's favorite blue engine and enjoy lots of fun outdoor Thomas-related activities. For more information, check out Day Out With Thomas 2010.

-- The Wiggles are coming to the Tower Theater in Upper Darby! On Saturday, August 21st, the guys will be performing two shows: The first is at 12:30; the second is at 4:00. For more information, and to buy tickets, go to Live Nation.

Enjoy!!!

Monday, May 3, 2010

The Mistaken Identity of a Toddler

Who is this child living in my house? He's three feet tall, with dirty blond hair and blue eyes, and he pushes my buttons at every opportunity. I used to smile politely and nod when someone would mention the "Terrible 2's." Not my kid, I would think to myself. My toddler was pleasant, courteous, and kind to others. I had never witnessed a tantrum. Just your typical nagging and whining. Nothing I couldn't handle. I figured I had gotten off easy, so I dared not complain. Which is why this stranger in my house leaves me feeling so perplexed.

He no longer does anything without resistance, except maybe choose a lollipop flavor or run around in the backyard. My requests are met with "No" and the occasional "No way, Jose!" Getting him out the door is a chore. Getting him upstairs for a nap is like drawing blood from a stone. Getting him to come inside from playing outdoors is like asking him to give up his favorite blanket. He seems to know exactly how to drive me crazy at any given moment. He's a pro. That's how I know this is not the same child I've been raising for the past two and a half years.

Before he could talk, Daniel was an agreeable baby. He had a pleasant demeanor and was almost always content to do whatever I wanted him to do. Don't get me wrong -- he's still extremely well-behaved (at least compared to some of his peers whom I've observed) and consistently happy. Dealing with him is pretty easy. I guess I was spoiled, though, because this shift in attitude is killing me. I'd sooner find out that my son has been abducted by aliens and replaced with a doppelganger than to admit that he has become a typical two and a half year old. I seem to be losing this fight.

One of these days, I'll ask Daniel to sit down for breakfast or clean up his toys and he'll just DO IT! I'll be shocked and overjoyed, and I'll count it as a small victory for toddler mommies everywhere. It's the little things.