On his first birthday, Daniel had no idea who Elmo was. He hadn't yet watched a single episode of Sesame Street, and he thankfully didn't have one of those Tickle Me Elmo dolls (though he did get freaked out by one at a playmate's house -- I mean, the thing looks like it's having a seizure). After his first birthday, however, Daniel's interest in cartoon characters grew. He took a liking to Diego (mostly because the show aired right around the time he was finishing his morning bottle). Then he caught on to the Thomas craze. He also began to enjoy The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Thank goodness for Comcast On Demand, because we could summon any one of these shows at a moment's notice. Not that we did very often. In the beginning, Daniel watched no more than 20 minutes a day (which is all that his short attention span would allow). Even now, at 2 years old, he never watches more than 45 minutes at a time. I'm not saying that makes me a superior parent, it just illustrates the reality of trying to keep a toddler engaged.
Enter Sesame Street. I don't really recall how it all started. It's a chicken-and-egg puzzlement: Did Daniel's love of Elmo lead to his interest in Sesame Street, or did he first watch Sesame Street and automatically gravitate towards the pink furball with the baby voice? Who knows? All that matters is that Daniel has become a full-fledged Sesame Street junkie. And his Mommy, who's a recovering Children's television Workshop junkie herself, couldn't be happier!
One of the amazing things about Sesame Street is how it encourages viewers to participate. Once Daniel had been watching the show for several weeks and had grown familiar with the format, he began to interact with the TV. I've heard him counting, labeling characters or objects on the screen, and dancing to the music. His vocabulary has exploded in the past month -- due in no small part to his obsession with Sesame Street. His favorite segment of each show is Elmo's World, of course. He loves when Elmo talks to his pet fish, Dorothy, and when he asks a baby a question (and inevitably gets whacked in the head by the baby). He also loves Mr. Noodle's antics, and the ubiquitous closing song which draws its lyrics from that day's topic and it's melody from Jingle Bells ("Nose nose nose, nose nose nose, nose nose nose nose nose...").
But even with his deep devotion to Elmo, Daniel still enjoys the other characters. He can now identify Cookie, Abby, Bert, Ernie, and Zoe. We're working on Big Bird and Telly. I'm not sure if he'll ever get Snuffleupagus, but he seems intrigued by Slimy. He also thoroughly enjoys the animated segments which feature the number or letter of the day. I don't mind him sitting in front of the TV to watch Sesame Street because I know he is absorbing so much information, just as I did so many years ago. The lessons taught by Sesame Street will help him in his academic endeavors as well as his social relationships. How can that be a bad thing?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Hersheypark Happy!
This past weekend, we took Daniel to Hersheypark. This was a nostalgic trip for me, as I grew up making annual visits to Hershey with my family. I have very fond memories of spending many a hot August weekend riding the log flume, touring Chocolate World, and eating breakfast at the Hershey Lodge. So you can imagine my excitement at the prospect of visiting Hershey with my own child. We had originally planned to stay two nights, but changed our minds and changed the reservation to just one night. I was nervous about Daniel sleeping in the same room as Peter and me, and I wanted to minimize the amount of disruption to everyone's sleep schedules!
We drove to Hershey on Saturday morning, checked into the Lodge, and headed for the park. Daniel was immediately impressed by the "bus" -- the hotel shuttle which transported us to the park entrance. We knew not to expect too much from that day because we were getting a late start and Daniel was already a little sleepy. Oh yeah, and the park was extremely crowded...and it was really hot. So taking those parameters into consideration, we slathered on the sunblock and headed for the kiddie rides. The lines were long, so we only took Daniel on a couple of them -- most notably, the "Tiny Tracks" train ride, which he enjoyed. After a quick lunch and a couple more rides, we decided to call it a day -- but not before stopping at Chocolate World on our way out. One of my all-time favorites, the factory "tour," was a must-see. We climbed the ramp, refreshed by the air conditioning. We descended the stairs onto the moving platform and took our seats in one of the cars. Some of the ride had been updated, but much of it remains the same as it was all those years of my childhood: the liquid chocolate, Hershey kisses dropping onto the moving belt, going through the "roaster" and feeling the warm air engulf you. Pure nostalgia.
When we returned to the Lodge, we attempted to put Daniel down for a nap. It was already 4:00 at this point, and our hopes were fading fast. He cried for a little while from his crib, but Peter and I just planted ourselves in the hallway outside our room. Peter watched a DVD on our portable player and I read a couple of magazines. We lasted about an hour or so, until our butts were numb and we grew tired of people walking by and giving us strange looks. What the heck do other people do with their babies and toddlers at naptime? Were we supposed to sit in the room while he slept and stare at the wall?
Day 2 dawned bright and early. I received a 7:30 wake-up call, which inevitably woke Daniel as well. We were downstairs at breakfast by 8:30. One of the Lodge's restaurants, The Bears' Den, featured a Sunday morning cartoon breakfast buffet. Dozens of TV's, which normally featured sporting events, were tuned to kids' cartoons. There were even screens in each booth. Daniel was transfixed. He didn't know which TV to look at first! On our way back to the room, we stopped for pictures with a life-sized Kit-Kat bar. He was a chocolate bar of few words, but very friendly. I'm not sure if Daniel was intrigued or terrified.
We arrived at the park a little after 10:00, which is when it opened. There was a light drizzle falling from the sky, but not enough to keep us away! We got a little wet walking to the entrance from our car, but within a half-hour the sky cleared up. Either because it was so early or because of the questionable weather, the park was practically empty! We walked right on the Kissing Tower and the Antique Cars. I remember waiting in line for ages at these attractions! We also rode the Monorail, the steam train, the ferris wheel, the Ladybugs (which made me dizzier than any roller coaster ever has) and the kiddie log flume (not nearly as thrilling as the real one, but pretty decent from a toddler's perspective). We capped off our day with a walk through the park's new water section. There were some cool attractions, but not much for the little ones. Daniel and I took a break while Peter went on a wooden coaster (which he didn't entirely regret afterwards), and then we headed towards the front of the park. We stopped for a quick lunch and then hopped the tram for a ride back to our car.
If Daniel could tell you which ride was his favorite, I suspect he'd say the parking lot tram. Especially because he got to eat a Twizzler during the ride! Overall, it was a fun weekend. Exhausting, but fun. It was a treat to show Daniel something new and exciting, and it was a nice break from our regular routine. If you were to ask me my favorite part of the trip, I'd have to say it was Saturday night after dinner. We retired to our hotel room, turned on "Horton Hears a Who," and cuddled on the bed. Quality family time if ever there was any.
We drove to Hershey on Saturday morning, checked into the Lodge, and headed for the park. Daniel was immediately impressed by the "bus" -- the hotel shuttle which transported us to the park entrance. We knew not to expect too much from that day because we were getting a late start and Daniel was already a little sleepy. Oh yeah, and the park was extremely crowded...and it was really hot. So taking those parameters into consideration, we slathered on the sunblock and headed for the kiddie rides. The lines were long, so we only took Daniel on a couple of them -- most notably, the "Tiny Tracks" train ride, which he enjoyed. After a quick lunch and a couple more rides, we decided to call it a day -- but not before stopping at Chocolate World on our way out. One of my all-time favorites, the factory "tour," was a must-see. We climbed the ramp, refreshed by the air conditioning. We descended the stairs onto the moving platform and took our seats in one of the cars. Some of the ride had been updated, but much of it remains the same as it was all those years of my childhood: the liquid chocolate, Hershey kisses dropping onto the moving belt, going through the "roaster" and feeling the warm air engulf you. Pure nostalgia.
When we returned to the Lodge, we attempted to put Daniel down for a nap. It was already 4:00 at this point, and our hopes were fading fast. He cried for a little while from his crib, but Peter and I just planted ourselves in the hallway outside our room. Peter watched a DVD on our portable player and I read a couple of magazines. We lasted about an hour or so, until our butts were numb and we grew tired of people walking by and giving us strange looks. What the heck do other people do with their babies and toddlers at naptime? Were we supposed to sit in the room while he slept and stare at the wall?
Day 2 dawned bright and early. I received a 7:30 wake-up call, which inevitably woke Daniel as well. We were downstairs at breakfast by 8:30. One of the Lodge's restaurants, The Bears' Den, featured a Sunday morning cartoon breakfast buffet. Dozens of TV's, which normally featured sporting events, were tuned to kids' cartoons. There were even screens in each booth. Daniel was transfixed. He didn't know which TV to look at first! On our way back to the room, we stopped for pictures with a life-sized Kit-Kat bar. He was a chocolate bar of few words, but very friendly. I'm not sure if Daniel was intrigued or terrified.
We arrived at the park a little after 10:00, which is when it opened. There was a light drizzle falling from the sky, but not enough to keep us away! We got a little wet walking to the entrance from our car, but within a half-hour the sky cleared up. Either because it was so early or because of the questionable weather, the park was practically empty! We walked right on the Kissing Tower and the Antique Cars. I remember waiting in line for ages at these attractions! We also rode the Monorail, the steam train, the ferris wheel, the Ladybugs (which made me dizzier than any roller coaster ever has) and the kiddie log flume (not nearly as thrilling as the real one, but pretty decent from a toddler's perspective). We capped off our day with a walk through the park's new water section. There were some cool attractions, but not much for the little ones. Daniel and I took a break while Peter went on a wooden coaster (which he didn't entirely regret afterwards), and then we headed towards the front of the park. We stopped for a quick lunch and then hopped the tram for a ride back to our car.
If Daniel could tell you which ride was his favorite, I suspect he'd say the parking lot tram. Especially because he got to eat a Twizzler during the ride! Overall, it was a fun weekend. Exhausting, but fun. It was a treat to show Daniel something new and exciting, and it was a nice break from our regular routine. If you were to ask me my favorite part of the trip, I'd have to say it was Saturday night after dinner. We retired to our hotel room, turned on "Horton Hears a Who," and cuddled on the bed. Quality family time if ever there was any.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Books Galore!
Of all the objects with which Daniel is fascinated, books make me the most proud. As a former elementary school teacher I've amassed a huge collection of children's books, most of which are still too delicate for Daniel's toddler impulses. I eagerly anticipate the day when I can begin to introduce to him some of my own childhood favorites. He already loves "Caps for Sale" (he asks for it as "Paps") and "There's A Monster at the End of This Book" (always a favorite of mine because of Grover's unwarranted hysterics). But he continues to discover new books on a daily basis, and these books are beginning to pop up at different, albeit unexpected, times of the day.
Daniel wakes up to books each morning. When I check on him before my bedtime, I manage to sneak a couple of books into the corner of his crib. Most mornings, I find him perusing the books while waiting for me to come into his room. If I somehow forget to place the books in their designated spot overnight, Daniel will undoubtedly remind me as soon as I come to wake him. "Boops," he demands, pointing to the canvas box on the floor. He's even become more and more picky with my selections. It used to be that he would accept whichever books I handed to him. Now, he doesn't hesitate to voice his opinion with a resounding, "No! No!" Sometimes we browse through the whole box before settling on an acceptable title.
Another part of Daniel's day which books have infiltrated is mealtime. I've been struggling with convincing Daniel to sit in his high chair during meals, but when I let him sit in an adult chair he climbs all over the place. I recently started reading to him in order to get him to sit still and eat. He delights in hearing me read these familiar books to him, and begs for more when I finish. If I happen to be eating at the same time as him, I simply take "bite breaks," usually before I turn a page. Not only do I get to eat my lunch instead of feeding Daniel his (what a concept!) but I'm teaching him patience and turn-taking. It's a win-win! Today's lunch started out with Daniel refusing to sit in his high chair. He whined and climbed into the big chair. So I cut up his food into small pieces, placed a pile of books on the table in front of me, and read about 8 of them as Daniel gobbled up his entire lunch! Turning the page of a beloved book can be great motivation for taking a bite!
Peter and I have always taken the time to read to Daniel, and I hope that he continues to seek out books on his own. As a child, I used to bring books to restaurants and devour the words as I waited for my meal to arrive. I wish the same for him. My proudest moment one day would be for Daniel to shun the iPod or Gameboy in favor of a good book.
Daniel wakes up to books each morning. When I check on him before my bedtime, I manage to sneak a couple of books into the corner of his crib. Most mornings, I find him perusing the books while waiting for me to come into his room. If I somehow forget to place the books in their designated spot overnight, Daniel will undoubtedly remind me as soon as I come to wake him. "Boops," he demands, pointing to the canvas box on the floor. He's even become more and more picky with my selections. It used to be that he would accept whichever books I handed to him. Now, he doesn't hesitate to voice his opinion with a resounding, "No! No!" Sometimes we browse through the whole box before settling on an acceptable title.
Another part of Daniel's day which books have infiltrated is mealtime. I've been struggling with convincing Daniel to sit in his high chair during meals, but when I let him sit in an adult chair he climbs all over the place. I recently started reading to him in order to get him to sit still and eat. He delights in hearing me read these familiar books to him, and begs for more when I finish. If I happen to be eating at the same time as him, I simply take "bite breaks," usually before I turn a page. Not only do I get to eat my lunch instead of feeding Daniel his (what a concept!) but I'm teaching him patience and turn-taking. It's a win-win! Today's lunch started out with Daniel refusing to sit in his high chair. He whined and climbed into the big chair. So I cut up his food into small pieces, placed a pile of books on the table in front of me, and read about 8 of them as Daniel gobbled up his entire lunch! Turning the page of a beloved book can be great motivation for taking a bite!
Peter and I have always taken the time to read to Daniel, and I hope that he continues to seek out books on his own. As a child, I used to bring books to restaurants and devour the words as I waited for my meal to arrive. I wish the same for him. My proudest moment one day would be for Daniel to shun the iPod or Gameboy in favor of a good book.
Monday, July 20, 2009
It's Always Something
As any parent of a young child will tell you, the worrying never stops. It's just the nature of the worrying that shifts over time. Thankfully, Daniel has been extraordinarily healthy thus far. A runny nose here and there, a couple of bouts with diarrhea, maybe one fever that I can remember. What drives me crazy, however, is how one ailment seamlessly follows another. He's barely over one cold when another rears its ugly, snotty head. A week of diarrhea is followed by a week of constipation. And on and on it goes.
This morning I noticed a rash on Daniel's chest and torso. It looked similar to the outbreaks of eczema and/or heat rash that he's experienced in the past, so I wasn't too worried (everything is relative when you have a 2-year-old). I have prescription cream to put on his eczema, so I vowed to apply it tonight after his bath. When he got home from camp, though, the rash had grown. It was still confined to his chest and torso, and the bumps looked pretty much the same -- there were just more of them. Here's where I start to second-guess myself. Should I have kept him home from camp and called the doctor? Did he eat anything new yesterday that could signal a food allergy? He didn't seem to be uncomfortable, and he didn't have a fever. Just lots of little red bumps all over his torso.
I put a call into the pediatrician, and I am currently awaiting a response. Hopefully it's nothing. But I can't help but think, "What now?" as the never-ending adventure of parenting a toddler rolls on.
This morning I noticed a rash on Daniel's chest and torso. It looked similar to the outbreaks of eczema and/or heat rash that he's experienced in the past, so I wasn't too worried (everything is relative when you have a 2-year-old). I have prescription cream to put on his eczema, so I vowed to apply it tonight after his bath. When he got home from camp, though, the rash had grown. It was still confined to his chest and torso, and the bumps looked pretty much the same -- there were just more of them. Here's where I start to second-guess myself. Should I have kept him home from camp and called the doctor? Did he eat anything new yesterday that could signal a food allergy? He didn't seem to be uncomfortable, and he didn't have a fever. Just lots of little red bumps all over his torso.
I put a call into the pediatrician, and I am currently awaiting a response. Hopefully it's nothing. But I can't help but think, "What now?" as the never-ending adventure of parenting a toddler rolls on.
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Thin Line Between Eating and Freaking Out!
Mealtimes have become increasingly tense in our house. My once-content little boy has transformed into a bossy, opinionated toddler who never seems to be satisfied with where he's sitting or what he's eating. The most frustrating part of this change in behavior is its inconsistency. One day, Daniel may be happy to sit quietly in his high chair and devour the pizza and strawberries on his plate. Two days later, you'd think he was strapped into a torture device with a plate of creepy-crawlies in front of him. Sometimes I feel like I'm living with a schizophrenic.
Breakfast is the easiest meal of the day (for me). I usually have no problem slipping Daniel into his high chair, and he rarely complains. He's so hungry in the morning that he eats pretty much whatever I put in front of him (lately, his favorite is "cake and nana" -- some form of Eggo pancake or waffle and sliced banana). By lunchtime, his impatient side has taken over. Even if I do manage to get him into the high chair, he needs some distraction to get him to eat. It's a double-edged sword. If I don't give him something to play with, he'll whine and toss his food around without eating anything. If I do give him a truck to drive around the high chair tray, he has so much fun that he forgets about the food in front of him. I have to sneak bites of food into his mouth (and hope that my finger doesn't become part of his meal). This typically works out pretty well, but I often wonder if I'll still be hand-feeding him when he goes off to college.
Then there's dinner. What used to be a calm, quiet family meal has turned into a battle of wills. I no longer wait until Peter gets home to feed Daniel. Instead, I serve Daniel's dinner at 5:30 and let him play while Peter and I eat about an hour later. Anytime we're all seated at the table together, Daniel completely ignores his food and reaches for whatever Peter and I are eating. Then he'll lean over in his high chair and yell, "Seat! Seat!" He won't stop (or eat) until he's out of the high chair and sitting in a regular kitchen chair (no booster seat tolerated, I might add). Why don't I just get rid of the high chair and make my life a lot easier? Well, he spends most of his time in the big chair standing up and trying to climb onto the table. Either Peter or I inevitably have to spend most of the meal correcting Daniel's behavior and trying to encourage him to eat something. It's truly exhausting, and unfair to both of us.
Going out to restaurants? Forget it, for now. I have no interest in struggling through a meal with a difficult toddler in public, thank you very much. I'm optimistic that this phase will eventually pass. I know that Daniel will eat if he's hungry. No child ever willingly went on a hunger strike. In the meantime, however, we'll continue to strategize about how best to manage mealtimes. And we'll keep the local take-out places in business!
Breakfast is the easiest meal of the day (for me). I usually have no problem slipping Daniel into his high chair, and he rarely complains. He's so hungry in the morning that he eats pretty much whatever I put in front of him (lately, his favorite is "cake and nana" -- some form of Eggo pancake or waffle and sliced banana). By lunchtime, his impatient side has taken over. Even if I do manage to get him into the high chair, he needs some distraction to get him to eat. It's a double-edged sword. If I don't give him something to play with, he'll whine and toss his food around without eating anything. If I do give him a truck to drive around the high chair tray, he has so much fun that he forgets about the food in front of him. I have to sneak bites of food into his mouth (and hope that my finger doesn't become part of his meal). This typically works out pretty well, but I often wonder if I'll still be hand-feeding him when he goes off to college.
Then there's dinner. What used to be a calm, quiet family meal has turned into a battle of wills. I no longer wait until Peter gets home to feed Daniel. Instead, I serve Daniel's dinner at 5:30 and let him play while Peter and I eat about an hour later. Anytime we're all seated at the table together, Daniel completely ignores his food and reaches for whatever Peter and I are eating. Then he'll lean over in his high chair and yell, "Seat! Seat!" He won't stop (or eat) until he's out of the high chair and sitting in a regular kitchen chair (no booster seat tolerated, I might add). Why don't I just get rid of the high chair and make my life a lot easier? Well, he spends most of his time in the big chair standing up and trying to climb onto the table. Either Peter or I inevitably have to spend most of the meal correcting Daniel's behavior and trying to encourage him to eat something. It's truly exhausting, and unfair to both of us.
Going out to restaurants? Forget it, for now. I have no interest in struggling through a meal with a difficult toddler in public, thank you very much. I'm optimistic that this phase will eventually pass. I know that Daniel will eat if he's hungry. No child ever willingly went on a hunger strike. In the meantime, however, we'll continue to strategize about how best to manage mealtimes. And we'll keep the local take-out places in business!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me!
Today I conducted a little experiment. Instead of picking Daniel up from camp at noon and taking him home to feed him lunch, I paid an extra $10 to allow him to participate in a special pirate-themed lunch. He stayed until 1:00, and ate lunch with the other kids in his bunk. I was dying to know how he'd fare without me. Would he eat anything? Would he sit in a chair properly and behave during lunch? (Unlike he's been doing at home recently -- throwing food on the floor and trying to climb out of his high chair!) Would I be able to squeeze in all of my errands with this blessed extra hour to myself? In a word, YES!
According to Daniel's counselor, Miss Cathy, he had a fabulous day. She carried him over to the car in the pick-up line and told me that he ate his chicken nuggets and even shared some of her fruit! My little moocher! Apparently, she had pineapple and cantaloupe and Daniel just couldn't resist. I was so happy to hear that he actually ate lunch, I didn't really ask about the rest of the morning. She did say that he seems to be doing better and better each day, which made my heart swell with pride. Cathy's son, Zach, buckled Daniel into his car seat and I asked him to say goodbye. He blew a kiss to Cathy and waved goodbye to Zach. It was really quite adorable, especially since I only see tears in the mornings during drop-off.
I'm so thrilled to know that Daniel is adjusting well to camp and, more specifically, to being apart from me during the day. As much as I miss our one-on-one time together, I know that he is taking part in a nurturing and developmentally-appropriate activity. He greets me after camp with a huge smile, and I know that this experience is truly enriching his life.
According to Daniel's counselor, Miss Cathy, he had a fabulous day. She carried him over to the car in the pick-up line and told me that he ate his chicken nuggets and even shared some of her fruit! My little moocher! Apparently, she had pineapple and cantaloupe and Daniel just couldn't resist. I was so happy to hear that he actually ate lunch, I didn't really ask about the rest of the morning. She did say that he seems to be doing better and better each day, which made my heart swell with pride. Cathy's son, Zach, buckled Daniel into his car seat and I asked him to say goodbye. He blew a kiss to Cathy and waved goodbye to Zach. It was really quite adorable, especially since I only see tears in the mornings during drop-off.
I'm so thrilled to know that Daniel is adjusting well to camp and, more specifically, to being apart from me during the day. As much as I miss our one-on-one time together, I know that he is taking part in a nurturing and developmentally-appropriate activity. He greets me after camp with a huge smile, and I know that this experience is truly enriching his life.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Daniel's Loveys
My little boy has quite the elaborate nap and bedtime routine. This routine has evolved and changed over the past two years, but what has remained constant is the presence of one or more (or many, many) loveys. Call them dolls, security blankets, or binkies -- these objects are among the most valuable ones in my home. Without them, my darling Daniel might not be such a phenomenal sleeper. These loveys are my go-to arsenal when he is cranky or difficult -- my port in the storm, so to speak. If I were to ever misplace or lose one...well, I'd rather not think about it.
Currently, at 2 years old, Daniel's crib is filled with every kind of lovey imaginable: stuffed animals, blankets, pillows. No longer a choking or suffocation hazard (thank goodness!), I can pile them on top of Daniel and rest assured that he will drift off to dreamland with a smile on his face. His small Elmo doll is a particular treasure. Both Daniel and I bestow countless kisses upon Elmo's head each night before bed. If Daniel is reluctant to go down for a nap, I can still pull the old "Elmo misses you" out of my hat. The day that stops working, I will be in mourning.
Another favorite is his Taggies blanket. In fact, we just added a new blanket and pillow to the crib. Daniel's sleep space is now stuffed with soft, fleece covers and cushions which are adorned with many colorful, silky tags. He loves to stroke them, and I think he's comforted just by the fact that the tags are there with him. God bless the Taggies company!
As Daniel gets older, his preference of loveys will change and, most likely, go away. Dolls and blankets will be replaced by cool sheets and books by flashlight, late at night. Whatever comforts him enough to make him feel secure in drifting off to sleep, I'll forever endorse. I only wish dolls and blankets still worked for me.
Currently, at 2 years old, Daniel's crib is filled with every kind of lovey imaginable: stuffed animals, blankets, pillows. No longer a choking or suffocation hazard (thank goodness!), I can pile them on top of Daniel and rest assured that he will drift off to dreamland with a smile on his face. His small Elmo doll is a particular treasure. Both Daniel and I bestow countless kisses upon Elmo's head each night before bed. If Daniel is reluctant to go down for a nap, I can still pull the old "Elmo misses you" out of my hat. The day that stops working, I will be in mourning.
Another favorite is his Taggies blanket. In fact, we just added a new blanket and pillow to the crib. Daniel's sleep space is now stuffed with soft, fleece covers and cushions which are adorned with many colorful, silky tags. He loves to stroke them, and I think he's comforted just by the fact that the tags are there with him. God bless the Taggies company!
As Daniel gets older, his preference of loveys will change and, most likely, go away. Dolls and blankets will be replaced by cool sheets and books by flashlight, late at night. Whatever comforts him enough to make him feel secure in drifting off to sleep, I'll forever endorse. I only wish dolls and blankets still worked for me.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Mommy, Meet the Opposition
I'm always skeptical when people talk about the "terrible twos." Quite frankly, children develop differently and I find it hard to believe that every child must experience a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde transformation on the eve of his 2nd birthday. That is, until my perfect little angel woke up one morning with devil horns.
I'm not saying that Daniel is naughty, but he has recently developed an increasingly oppositional personality that seems to coincide perfectly with the beginning of his third year of life. Not only is his vocabulary growing at an amazing rate, but his temper is as well. When he doesn't get his way, he will no longer "let it slide." Oh no. He will whine, cry, throw things, even hurl himself onto the floor just to communicate to me that he is, in fact, pissed off. Simple daily rituals have become battles: changing his diaper involves getting repeatedly kicked in the chest and face, putting him in his high chair for a meal can take years off your life, and putting him in his crib for a nap or bedtime is a crapshoot. Sometimes he lays down peacefully and babbles himself to sleep, while other times he cries his eyes out and throws his beloved blanket over the side of the crib in the hopes that Mommy or Daddy will come to his rescue. If I happen to intervene on his behalf, he will continue the behavior. It's a never-ending circle of frustration, and it makes me want to bang my head against a wall.
Part of the reason why this defiant behavior is so stressful for us is because we are experiencing it for the first time. Daniel has always been an easy kid, and we have not often found ourselves in these challenging situations. Ultimately, the way we learn to deal with Daniel's oppositional behavior will make us better parents and help us immensely when the next child comes along. I suppose we are lucky to have made it this far without having to deal with sleeping or eating issues. And I know that this is just a phase. There is light at the end of the tunnel. But sometimes it seems like the tunnel is terribly, terribly long.
I'm not saying that Daniel is naughty, but he has recently developed an increasingly oppositional personality that seems to coincide perfectly with the beginning of his third year of life. Not only is his vocabulary growing at an amazing rate, but his temper is as well. When he doesn't get his way, he will no longer "let it slide." Oh no. He will whine, cry, throw things, even hurl himself onto the floor just to communicate to me that he is, in fact, pissed off. Simple daily rituals have become battles: changing his diaper involves getting repeatedly kicked in the chest and face, putting him in his high chair for a meal can take years off your life, and putting him in his crib for a nap or bedtime is a crapshoot. Sometimes he lays down peacefully and babbles himself to sleep, while other times he cries his eyes out and throws his beloved blanket over the side of the crib in the hopes that Mommy or Daddy will come to his rescue. If I happen to intervene on his behalf, he will continue the behavior. It's a never-ending circle of frustration, and it makes me want to bang my head against a wall.
Part of the reason why this defiant behavior is so stressful for us is because we are experiencing it for the first time. Daniel has always been an easy kid, and we have not often found ourselves in these challenging situations. Ultimately, the way we learn to deal with Daniel's oppositional behavior will make us better parents and help us immensely when the next child comes along. I suppose we are lucky to have made it this far without having to deal with sleeping or eating issues. And I know that this is just a phase. There is light at the end of the tunnel. But sometimes it seems like the tunnel is terribly, terribly long.
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