Oh ThoseTerrific Two's

Our middle child and only son is turning 2 on Saturday. Honestly, I don't know where the last two years have gone! But don't worry, this is hardly one of those mushy posts about how bittersweet it is as our children grow.

I have three of the most independent, strong willed, and spirited children that I've ever known. I'm not just saying that because they are mine. It's the honest to goodness truth.

Our son, N, has always been a big explosive bundle of energy. As a baby, he always had to have something going on around him to keep him calm. I probably cut our Dyson's life in half by running it next to his crib for hours on end just to get him to sleep.

As his second birthday approaches, I'm noticing this explosion of language, understanding, and emotion. I also see that his desire for independence is growing exponentially. And along with that need for independence has come a whole new breed of temper tantrum goodness (HA!) that comes out of hiding when he doesn't get his way.

I've read the parenting books. I've perused the websites. Clearly, they have never met my N.

Counting doesn't work. I will start the countdown and he proceeds to finish it for me. Time out doesn't work. Short of strapping him into something, there's just no way to get him to sit there. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to come try it yourself. My husband and I don't believe in physical punishment, so spanking isn't even an option.

As a result, we're left with limited options. We remove him from the situation and obviously, he doesn't get whatever it is that he wanted that prompted the tantrum. Yesterday, he was in bed at 6:10 following his tenth or eleventh tantrum of the day, the final one started because he was told not to put applesauce up his nose and in his ears.

I love that my kids are independent. It lets me know that I've done a good job making them secure. I can't fault them for their tendency towards temper. After all, they are Irish and Colombian, so they come by it very naturally. I just pray that my sanity will survive the next year as we venture through N's Terrific Two's!

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama