Since arriving home from our vacation Brianna has become so grumpy!!! (Warning: this post is a lot of venting my frustrations right now...you can skip this post if you just want happy go lucky thoughts! :)
Bri is typically an easy going girl, but since we've come home she has thrown the biggest tantrums, is screaming and crying about little things several times a day, and is just plain grumpy and non compliant all day! What happened to our little sweet girl? Her biggest tantrums yesterday were over Daddy turning the volume down a little bit on the piano because her music was way too loud...15 minutest later she finally calmed down. The other biggest tantrum was after I had finished her hair she decided that she wanted me to use a different comb and do it over, since there was no time and no need I didn't...a good half hour or more of crying on and off and general grumpiness!!! Does anyone have a "no more grumpy pill" I can use?
My patience with this has started to become really thin. That's mostly due to me not getting any sleep (my longest stretch last night was 45 minutes). I also have had a fussy baby all week and Bri keeps waking her up with all of her screaming/crying after I finally get her to sleep. I am starting to feel like a really bad mother since neither of my kids are very happy. I'm struggling to find ways to give Brianna the one on one attention she needs when my baby needs constant care and holding to be happy or sleeping! I feel like Bri may be acting out due to the baby and being bored with our new way of life.
To top this all off potty training has been a DISASTER!!!! We started potty training over a year ago and I am starting to get really fed up with it! (I used to do this for a living people!!!) Brianna has been near fully potty trained several times and then she just regresses horribly!!! She had 4 accidents yesterday after a very successful morning! We have tried all sorts of potty charts, treats, prizes, etc. She was so close to earning the toy she wants yesterday...only 2 successes away!!! When she does have an accident she says happily, "I pee peed on the floor" or "I'm going pee pee!" She also doesn't mind having to clean it up! I am at a loss of what to do. We told her she could take ballet classes once she's potty trained and she's telling everyone that. She talks about how she's going to take ballet once she can stay dry all of the time, and right now there's nothing more that she wants than ballet classes. But it doesn't seem to help her have the desire to go in the potty! That's probably our biggest problem...she doesn't want to take the time out to go to the potty and it's often a fight to get her there!!! She talks about how she wants to do these things, but when it comes right down to it I think she's fighting becoming a big girl and is trying to get more attention! Any ideas out there?
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I am so sorry Erin! I can totally relate. We have decided that Hannah has just recently hit the "terrible twos." She also cries at every little thing--like, not being able to get her clothes on or off by herself. And that hair story reminded me how Hannah likes to get in her carseat and buckle the top part herself and if we help at all, she has to get out of the seat and start over. It's very frustrating.
I am hoping it really is just a phase. I have been wondering if it is partly because of a new baby in the home, even though she loves Sadie.
I decided I can handle Hannah's tantrums or Sadie not wanting to sleep from time to time, but together, it's extremely hard and exhausting and makes me lose my patience.
Anyway, the point is, you are not alone. You are not a bad mom! Everything will be fine.
Sorry for the novel.
Poor Erin! You are NOT a bad mom! In fact, with a grumpy toddler, a fussy baby, and NO sleep, I'd say that you're a GREAT mom.
I'm so sorry. It will get better, one day baby girl will figure out that night time is for sleeping, Bri will decide that the potty is a good idea, and life will return to normal. You'll even have time to make cute crafty stuff again.
luv ya-
I'm free everyday after three to take the two crazies and give you a break. You are a great mom by the way...who else would do the big lifts?! :) Let me know how I can help even if it just means holding Miranda while you play with Bri or stealing Bri for a little while.
I wish I had some good advice for you, but I'm afraid that all I can offer is empathy. Emma has acted the same way since Maddie was born, and she is the same with the potty, too. She knows exactly what to do, she has been offered many bribes, but she just doesn't care!
Hi Erin,
I think you're doing great! Here's a cheery thought---at least you don't have octuplets, huh? ha.
Here's a thought, since you're asking for ideas. What if you just sort of "gave up" on the potty training for awhile? Bri knows she's in control of this area, so let her do whatever for awhile. There's no big deadline for potty training. Yes, it would be nice to have her taking care of her own business, but that WILL come! Guaranteed most of the time by Kindergarten!
Also, take your good friend up on her wonderful offer to give you a little break now and then. What a sweetheart, no?
Thinking of you and sending hugs,
Nadine
i love the "i used to do this for a living people" line. obviously i have no actual experience other than that i do this for a living, but this is what I always tell people (and probably what you told people). You can't make kids talk, eat, or go in the potty. They will do it when they are ready. Hopefully for your sake she'll be ready soon. Good luck with that and with the grumpiness.
Erin! I love the awesome reality of this post. Motherhood is NOT an easy job, far from it. Remember my kiddos at the restaurant! :) Here's to easier days ahead!
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