you know, girls. i really haven't gotten mad at you up to this point. of course, i've been upset, stressed out and frustrated over your terrible two temper tantrums. and sure, i've wanted to jump off a bridge more than a few times. but, i've always blamed it on your "toddler hormones" flaring up.
you've gotten a get out of jail free card because, even though it feels like you are trying to kill me by throwing yourself on the floor, screaming, crying, whining, and making messes non-stop throughout the day, it's really not you. you are just frustrated by what you aren't able to do. it's not your fault that you don't understand that when you try to climb onto your chair to get the TV remote, you are going to fall. why shouldn't that little chair hold you? but, you are just 2 1/2 years old. you haven't yet grasped the fact that you are not all powerful.
and you also don't understand the purpose of boundaries and limits. i mean, i really can empathize. how are you to understand why you can't do what you want, when you want, and how you want? you were born doing exactly that from day one.
but, okay, girls. you are now 2 1/2 and you can talk. i mean, you are so good at speaking, that you negotiate with daddy and me every day, several times a day - whether it's about eating, sleeping, napping, playing, snacks, tv, bedtime stories, bath time.. the list never ends. i know that you know what you are doing!
so, today, when i told you specifically not to go into my bathroom and get into my make-up and you did anyway, i started getting mad. only because i had already told you three times and three times you went in anyway. but when i saw you painting your toe nails with my lipstick and most of an entire bottle of lotion on your legs, i was in shock as to what i was really watching. who are these babies? why don't they listen?
but today, you were adamantly challenging me. i heard the two of you, when you thought i wasn't listening, discussing how to get into "mommy's room."
i decided to flash you my "you better not touch that or else you are gonna get SSSSOO in trouble!" look.
as i gave you my best "evil eye", a really confused expression came over your face.
"mommy," you began to ask, eyes full of concern, "what happened to your face?! why does it look so bad?"
i couldn't help, but bust out laughing. you really haven't a clue, do you? it didn't matter. your face brightened and broke out in a happy smile. with some forced chuckles, you attempt to fake laughter, just to join me in the moment.
"what so funny, mommy?" you ask, wanting in on the joke.
"oh, nothing, girls. you're just too funny." i smile, as I pick you up and move you safely out of the room and away from my make-up.
gosh, how i love you two!
3 comments:
So glad to know I'm not the only one dealing with a two-year-old who tests my limits!! I don't think I handle Allison with as much grace as you do your girls. I can get pretty mad at her. So thanks for the reminder that as much as she can drive me crazy at times with her temper tantrums and willful disobedience, I love her to pieces! I'm amazed your girls can talk well enough to negotiate with you! Thankfully Allison is not at that point yet, but I'm sure it's coming.
Just wait until Finley can join her sisters in the mischief! They'll, of course, blame everything on her. She will learn so much...good and bad...from them.
Now I will what to get them for their birthday - their own make-up kits!!!!
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