Xander Week 112 – Where Did My Kid Go?
April 17, 2009
We have all heard the term “terrible twos” and then there are some out there who swear that three is actually worse than two. I can’t speak to the “terrible threes” – we aren’t there yet. I can agree with people who say that the “terrible twos” really aren’t so terrible. There was a good article on Strollerderby about it this week.
The first half of the second year has been great. Xander is funny, kind, polite (most of the time) and generally agreeable. When he gets upset it usually isn’t too difficult to distract him away from tears.
Last week (when Parker was sick) was an entirely different story. If it was a sign of what is to come in the next year, then I want a do-over of this year, or at least the ability to Rumpelstiltskin my way though the upcoming year.
It was awful. Every evening was just a series of battles. Xander please pick up your puzzle, Xander please don’t chase the cat. Xander please don’t step on your brother. Xander please eat your vegetables. Xander please get into the bathtub. And on and on we went. And every request was met with opposition, argument and outright defiance.
Wednesday night, after asking nicely several times, then threatening “trouble” and then threatening time out, Xander finally picked up his puzzle. As soon as the last piece as in the box, the little imp looked at me, and then proceeded to turn the box upside down, emptying the contents all over the carpet (again!) He got a 2 minute time out for that one, though it was as much for me as it was for him. Most nights Zach and I couldn’t wait for bedtime, just so we could have a break.
Thankfully, by Friday Xander had returned. They say that you have to have valleys to appreciate the hills. After a week of battling with the two-year-old terror, we were thrilled to have our sweet child back, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the little guy that we know and love. However, I am worried that as we get closer and closer to that third year, we might start to see this defiant kid more and more often. I’m not quite sure what we’re going to do with him…
Lisa recently metioned in a comment that she is having a boy, and although she has 2 girls, she doesn’t really know much about raising a boy. Well, I owuldn’t call myself an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have learned a few things (mostly through trial and error) along the way. So, here are a few suggestions I have so far, and I’m sure Xander will teach me some more as we get older.
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