The past week has been really rough with P. She’s been in some sort of funk. She’s been super energized, almost fanatical, doesn’t listen, throws things. I guess my biggest complaint is that she’s not listening. I know it seems minor for a child her age but for the most part P is calm, listens and is helpful. This past week there’s been deliberate disobeying. I’m repeating myself 8-10 times to get her to do basic things.
The previous week I was telling my husband how fun it was to hang with P. I felt I had a friend and not a toddler around. Her sense of humor was really kicking in. Then last Saturday, boom, things got bad.
I think it’s a combination of things. First, her molars are coming in. I can see half of a tooth peeking up from beneath her gums. She doesn’t complain much, but this weekend she said to my hubby “Pappa, my teeth hurt”.
Second, I think her bad behavior is sort of a rebound from the Florida trip. I notice that when she makes great leaps in development sometimes, I’ll see a rebound back. Then she moves forward again.
Third, it could just be the age. She is two after all.
The toughest part about this phase is knowing how to control it. When does she need to be disciplined and when does she need some soothing for her teeth? What kind of discipline will work.
From the “Happiest Toddler on the Block” I’ve done a few things. I’ve spent extra time playing with her…didn’t work. I told her stories of how a bunny listened and obeyed…kind of worked. I gossiped to my husband about how much I love it when she listens and puts her toys away…temporarily worked. I’ve taken her to parks and outside to get a good workout and wear herself out….it only made her more energized.
I finally had to use physical force. I had to squeeze her arm or spank her a couple times to get her to listen or stop her behavior. I hate doing it but if I’ve spoken to her in various tones and asked her to do something ten times and she doesn’t do it well….its what comes next.
After, a spanking, we talked more about why I have to ask her to do something more than once. I pointed out that when she asks for a snack she only has to ask once, so why can’t she do the same for me. She said she’d listen after two times. Now, when I ask her to do something more than once I start counting how many times I’m asking and after two she usually starts doing what she’s asked. So, this is working so far.
I’m also doing “magic breathing”. I have her sit and do some of my yoga breathing and then I ask her to sit still for one minute to calm down. I have to help her resist moving sometimes but I must say it’s kind of working. She seems less frantic after that minute.
I’m trying everything I can to make it through this phase. I hope she comes out of this happy but knowing her boundaries and still thriving as a two year old. I feel like I’m walking a tight rope, trying to find the balance.
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