Toddler tantrums are killing me

Sheazier · September 2013

Dear GOD. The tantrums over EVERYTHING. Why is DS crying? I don't know, because he's awake? Because he wanted a banana, but I guess didn't want me to peel it? Or maybe he didn't want THAT banana (even though he selected it)? He wanted juice, but I guess not in THAT sippy cup? Because I looked at him? Because he only gets the pacifier at night and nap times? UGH. This is normal toddler stuff, and on good days I'm more understanding of it, but it's killing me this late in the pregnancy, as lifting up his little 27lb body for a diaper change and getting kicked in the face EVERY SINGLE TIME is just a wee bit tiring with my giant belly and insane sciatica . Time-outs for every time he hits, kicks, or punches me or attacks the dog. Wish I could do a Zach Morris time-out, freeze time, and take a nap. DH is a law enforcement officer and works on the weekends, which leaves me alone with DS until 6PM. It's 9 AM and I'm already exhausted.

barista411 · September 2013

I could have written this exact post. Except we have been trying to potty train DD on top of all the insanity and she is getting it but not without some battles. Hang in there and remember to find a few minutes for yourself to recover.

Sheazier · September 2013

I'm really hoping he's more verbal when we get to potty training. I think most of his frustration stems from not being able to communicate verbally. It's hard for us to know exactly what he wants when he can only grunt and babble. Trust me, if I knew what he wanted, I'd get it for him. Better than watching him throw himself backwards on the hardwoods for the 100th time that day. Now, to be even more dramatic, he's taken to throwing himself backwards so his head makes a loud noise, and then rolling so his head goes "thunk" "thunk" "thunk" across the hardwoods. We've noticed he won't do that on the tile floor. Though, it is hilarious to watch him pitch a fit in the kitchen, as he will very slowly lean backwards until his head gently hits the tile, then throw the fit. Tile must hurt more!

barista411 · September 2013

That is a really hard stage. We are now on the other side where DD talks non stop but she is very bossy and disrespectful and we are trying to teach her to be respectful. Also she is constantly testing to see if I will follow through. I swear she can sense that I am tired or overly emotional and takes advantage and acts up to see what I will do.

inlove0509 · September 2013

Oh my goodness, my thoughts too!!! I miss how "easy" pregnancy was the first time around! With an almost-two-year old, it is exhausting getting up and down from the floor where she plays, keeping up with her energy, withstanding all those hits and kicks. She hits our faces anytime we pick her up, and trips to the naughty corner don't seem to be doing much.

My body aches by the afternoon, and even though cop hubby (we have that in common too!) comes home around 3pm from his job, he is not much of a help because he too is bone tired. He is a traffic officer in the motorcycle unit, which is a very physically exerting job. He had more energy when he was patrol in a car! Sigh.

Sometimes I feel guilty for not being a more active, patient mama to my DD, but I'm Doing the best I can this far in the pregnancy!!

spiffy7 · September 2013

@Sheazier: when my DS was having trouble verbally communicating I found that sign language helped him a lot. Just simple things like Juice, Milk, hungry, please, thank you, more, etc.

But I am right there with you ladies. Especially the "I want a banana"... "No, not peeled!" Lol. I've noticed my patients is very limited the later in pregnancy. Since DH works all week and Saturdays and I'm a SAHM, I've found calling grandparents every once in awhile for a Saturday has been a great help. Even if I'm hanging with them, he's so excited to see them that there are little to no tantrums.

Good luck with the last little bit of pregnancy ladies!

IforShort · September 2013

In the same boat here. One thing I can usually count in is going on long walks with DD. they take forever because she stops at everything so we're not actually walking that far but she's usually pretty tired when we get home. DH has been away all month for training (military) and parenting alone and pregnant is kicking my butt.

Sheazier · September 2013

I'm happy to report that DS is down for a nap. Could be 5 minutes, could be 3 hours, who knows, but he's at peace and so am I. I can totally relate to having guilt about being a low energy mom right now. I've never felt so bad as when I put him in his room (he's now in a toddler bed and we give him free range of his room with a baby gate), turned on his TV and took a nap in the recliner because I could not physically keep my eyes open last Saturday. I've noticed that I can be really impatient with him when I'm in pain or tired, so I'm trying to be as healthy and rested as I can be for the weekends so I don't snap at him. This is all temporary (the pregnancy pain part) and I have to keep reminding myself that all this sciatica pain went away as soon as DS was born and it will (hopefully) go away as soon as DS2 is born. Until then, sometimes mommy just needs to take a rest.

P.S. I tried "resting my eyes" while snuggling with DS and watching a movie on the couch last weekend....I was just about to nod off when he kicked me right in the nose.

Sheazier · September 2013

IforShort said:

In the same boat here. One thing I can usually count in is going on long walks with DD. they take forever because she stops at everything so we're not actually walking that far but she's usually pretty tired when we get home. DH has been away all month for training (military) and parenting alone and pregnant is kicking my butt.

My DH is an Air Force veteran. He was active duty for 8 years and did reserves after that for 4 years. I met him after all of that (he was 34 when we met), but when I start to complain about how he's not here to help me on the weekends, he will usually end up telling me a story about one of his buddies who struggled with raising a family while on active duty. I can't imagine how hard that must be, but thank goodness we have folks willing to do the hard thing.

Edvoncupacake · September 2013

Hahaha I remember this so well. The first time I was shocked and just stared at DS. I had no clue what to do! This too shall pass, mama! It sounds like you're doing really well, all things considered.

lamo1210 · September 2013

Toddlers are weird!! I don't have one but I work with them. There are days where the kids just don't like me and other teachers comment that they can probably tell I have a baby in my belly.

I find that kind of true, one toddler who will be two before his mom has her second baby will hit her in the stomach, acted up more in class, and out of the 3 teachers he had I was the one he pushed and took anger out on. He hit my stomach many times!! I think at this age they can sense a change and don't know how to deal with it. On top of that they are in a stage of discovering themselves along with the world around them and it can get frustrating.

bmqcmg · September 2013

My little miss has been throwing tantrums too. She is really mouthy as well.

RavenandJosh · September 2013

You just worded my day EXACTLY! My DS is almost 2 1/2 and he has tantrums over the most random stuff. He also pulls the whole fight over he can't figure out exactly which fruit he wants or which sippy cup he likes better. I haven't even attempted potty training because I'm terrified of adding more tantrums to the trantrums he is already having. The poor little baby in my belly gets kicked so many times a day, my DH jokes that he is going to come out with the perfect bruise shape of my DS#1's foot.

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