I read a parenting book about nine years ago when I used to read parenting books..you know with my first child, and this book mentioned something about the cycle of temperaments in small children. It said that usually they are the most calm, at ease, and go with the flow around their birthdays and then it said that basically everything goes to hell at their half-birthdays. I’m sure it didn’t really say ‘go to hell’ and instead used some politically correct flowery parenting language…but that was the gist of the information.
I need to write my own parenting book with actual useful terms.
We are currently in the ‘everything has gone to hell’ stage with Astrid.
2 1/2 sucks in more ways than I can count. It sucks even more for her sisters who are currently in their Winter birthday ‘happy and at ease’ modes.
And evidently I’m doing some awesome parenting with Astrid lately because by the time the day FINALLY ended today – Astrid’s last words to me were ‘please no more mad face at me, mama’ – to which I responded ‘I only make my mad face after you make your mad face ALL.DAY.LONG’ -which I know is super mature but my word let’s just simmer down now child.
She’s doing so many awesomely fun things right now – like asking for things to eat and then refusing to eat them and being potty trained and then deciding how awesome it is not to be potty trained.
Good times my friend.
But I know that in just a short time the upswing of happiness will occur again and I will put away my mad face until next Winter when she tries to again kill me when she is 3 1/2. Because I remember it being the same with my older kids.
But what generally pisses me off about the whole situation is the fact that the touchy-feely parenting book was right.
And I pretty much hate when that happens.
******
Linking up with Small Style
My urban and mostly angry toddler is wearing:
-Amazingly buttery soft cotton Odette dress from Neige(and it’s currently 1/2 price..you’re welcome)
-H&M Black Leggings
-Her Target purple boots which really haven’t left her feet since October
-Target checked scarf that she took from Eloise(don’t tell)
-Crewcuts headband
Well, were’ about to hit the half in say 5 weeks or so. Crap. But thanks for the “heads up”!!
So stylish, just like her Momma!
Yes, good luck with that. Maybe I’ll just ship Astrid down there to better prepare you.
OMG say it isn’t so. Around every half birthday it will be like this?? There is no other way to describe my 2.5 year old son than terror. The best is when he shrieks and yells about non-existent boogers in his nose and that his diaper is “not right” – he’s so not interested in potty training right now – and screams that he wants “lot of pennies” at the top of his lungs anytime we are in public. Truly good time. It’s a good thing he’s cute! Here’s to surviving the next six months until we can all put on our happy faces All. Day. Long.
“lots of pennies!” – okay that is adorable.
I love the dress she’s wearing!!
And I can’t imagine that sweet face turning into mad face.
Wait, they turn into horrors at 2 1/2? How do you explain my toddler now at 2 years 2 months?? YOU MEAN IT GETS WORSE???
oh Alison..the fun is only beginning my love…
*insert my evil know it all laugh here*
I’ve always giggled at “terrible two” and have come to believe it is only referred to that way because of people’s love of alliteration. Yes, 2 1/2 is cray-zee. But, three! Three is when all hell breaks loose for real. The whole damn year.
It gets worse. And better. Then worse again.
I don’t believe you…she’s far too adorable…
you want to see a hellion? Come watch Hope for a day or two…
oh i hear ya!! Lily is not quite 2.5 but she is there.
yesterday morning after she told me she wanted to go to the park to play with her friend, i texted that friend’s mom and set up a play date. we walked to the park, once there she wouldn’t get out of the stroller. i finally got her out (mind you this is the same park we have been going to ALL her life)and she didn’t want to do anything but cling to my leg. i gave her 2 options: play or go home.
so home we went.
Oh I have so been there. Good times, right? lol
She will get through this as your other sweet girls did, because you are an amazing mom. And soon you will be worrying about her choice in boyfriends, rather than wet diapers…hugs to both of you, from me!
Well she better be out of these wet diapers before she starts finding a boyfriend.
I promise you I could look at Astrid and smile all day. Is that creepy? I want it to sound uncreepy.
I don’t read the books anymore either, and it used to irk me too when they were right (almost, but not quite as much as it would irritate me for my mother to be right. IT BURNS!). It’s interesting about the 1/2 stage. The boy isn’t really 2 1/2 yet (it’s too early for the maths); I think it’s mid-month next month when he hits it. But the screaming and the no and the I’ll use the pot now but not at times of the day that include the number 4 and not on Mondays at all and please give me broccoli then no I not want broccoli, want salad, then AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH NO SALAD MOMMY.
I smell a book collaboration filled with real-life mommy words used during 1/2 age stages.
My son is only 13 months, but reading this post I feel like I have been there. I can only imagine what will happen when they can stomp away or talk back.
“caught in the half” would be a great book name!
Ooooh. I like “Caught in the Half” for a book title. Or “Halfway to Hell” if you’re brainstorming here.
But my favorite might be “No More Mad Face, Mommy” – I know it’s a mouthful, but. Isn’t the truth usually tough to swallow?
For example, after 14 years, my frown lines no longer disappear when my kids’ birthdays come around…
So perhaps the best title would be this:
Blaming Baby for Botox.
Boo.
Blaming Baby for Botox. Now that is brilliant.
Wait… we were supposed to read parenting books? I just used them as coasters.
This kind of explains a lot.
Yes, you were obligated for read at least one parenting book with your first child. There was a memo.
I’m just excited to hear that in a few short months Miriella is going to be charming all the time. Right now we get it sporadically, sometimes adorable and charming, other times she freaks out at the tiniest things and you never know when it’s going to happen!
It’s especially fun in public. Or a restaurant.
Oh joy, something to look forward to. Here I was thinking that the terrible two’s were going to be fun, turns out I haven’t hit the 1/2 yet!
A great post! I have never heard of this phenomenon before? I wonder if it is still the case when they are teens? I am going to start charting the craziness and get back to you. Of course the whole monthly thing comes into play too, so it’s adds some great peaks and valleys. So many things for you to look forward to Tracy. I can’t wait to read about it.
Dana
You mean my girls are going to start their periods someday. I think I need another glass of wine.
We are closing in on birthday number four for Bud, and you are right. I can tell he is a much happier child than he was just a few months ago, and so much more pleasant to be around.
Oh she is so cute I can hardly stand it. I would say, how can a face that cute be such a stinker but I have a face just as cute but in boy, 2 1/2 form and I know. My current favorite move is “throw your body on the floor and cry.” I’m thinking of trying it myself.
Oh but she is just oh-so-adorable! And looks delightful in the pictures!
)
My baby book mentioned birthdays and half birthdays being crappy. It’s the in between times of those that were “happy” times. I think I like your version better. But really, why do they have to have bad times anyway? What’s there to complain about?
By the way, she really is darling. And I’m sure you hear it all the time (and are sick of it), but it certainly is hard to imagine that adorable little girl being anything but adorably sweet!
I think I’ve actually said that to her “what is there to complain about?” It didn’t work for me. lol
Yet she is so darn cute
i certainly remember those stages and am dreading the day my little jess enters them. i thought i just got out of them with my boys!!
and those books…i only read with my first too!
Oh the books…I remember reading them and actually discussing the parenting techniques with people. For real.
I hate to say this but 12 year old girls may be god’s way of weeding out the strong from the weak.
12. eek.
Uh oh. I’m about to hit the halfway mark – 18mth. I don’t remember this with my first but I’m definitely going to keep on eye out for those halfway markers now!
Read that same book or some other book that said the same thing. And it’s SO TRUE! I’m at 3.5 right now with middle man and it blows chunks. Big gross stain leaving chunks.
I’m sorry to laugh but ‘blowing chunks’ gave me a HUGE giggle. Also hugs for the half.
My 2 1/2 year old ran between two parked cars today. He was about two feet from traffic.
So fun times.
Also? These pictures look like Gap ads. The pretty almost hurts.
Yes, this. I know this all too well.
And oh my, 3 1/2 is HARD.
Also? What is the explanation for HARD when we’re not at halvesies?!
(Lovely, adorable photos, as always!)
But on a bright note, she is rocking that outfit!
Oh my gosh, YES. My youngest is 2 1/2 right now too. Enough said. The other day I let him run water for almost a half hour to “wash his car” because at least I knew exactly what he was doing and it didn’t involve telling me no. My inner environmentalist cringed. LOL
this makes so much sense.
At this moment my 22 month old is standing in the middle of the room with mr. potatoe head screaming “help plllleeaaassseeee” and I know when I go and help her she’s going to throw it on the floor and tantrum because that’s not what she wanted.
I have video from an entire year when my daughter was 2 (an art project). What I find so funny and revealing is that in all the footage I look like hell. I’m tired, total mad face and not happy. But my kid is so damn cute all I keep thinking when I look at the footage is “why the hell didn’t I just sit there and gawk at her all day?” We all know why, I think…