Mischievous Monday
People talk about the terrible twos all the time. From the time someone finds out you are pregnant, you get looks of pity, and comments like, “Do you think you can handle the terrible twos?” Bookstores are constantly sold out of books on the subject of two; parents spend hundreds on therapy to help get them through two.
Why doesn’t anyone warn you about THREE? I feel blind sided here people. A little heads up would have been nice. This child has not worn me out like this since she was an infant and we were screaming at each other because we were not so- good-at the breastfeeding thing. Don’t get me wrong, so far three has not been about tempers. It’s been more of a “I’m three, check out what I can do,” kind-of-thing. Scouts’ honor, the day she turned three, she dialed the energy up to an ear piercing level. When she wakes up in the morning she is ready to put on her running shoes and go, when we get home in the evening she is ricocheting off the wall, and she is still going when we put her down for bed. On top of the energy that only belongs in a pinball machine, she has also pulled out the independence and experimentation card. What gets me more than the crazy stunts is that when I react freak-out, she’s completely calm and like, “It’s cool, Mom. I’ve got this.” She has no fear of my fear. She is not impressed that I am hyperventilating and sweating bullets.
You think I’m over reacting don’t you? You think I just need to drink a few sodas and get over it. Don’t lie to me because I see it in your eyes. Let me paint you a little picture of our Monday evening…
Moanna and I get home, and I go to the bathroom. Moanna comes to the bathroom door to tell me that she is ice skating. I should have been alarmed, but I wasn’t, she has a good imagination. About 30 seconds later I hear water splatter all over the kitchen floor followed by gleeful squeals. I rush out of the bathroom (no time for washing of the hands), and to find that Moanna has dumped her water cup all over the kitchen floor for her to “ice skate” trough. “MOANNA WHAT DID YOU DO?” “Mo000mmmmyyy, I’m ice skating.”
About an hour later, I’m making dinner and Moanna taps me on the leg and say, “What is this?” as she is holding up the floor air register that she has extracted from the kitchen floor. “HOW DID YOU DO THAT? I WAS STANDING RIGHT HERE!” “Mommy, why is there a big hole in the floor?” “You better put that back before you fall in the hole.”
Still not impressed?
Not more than half an hour after the whole in the floor, I hear Moanna in the bathroom. It sounded like she was going to the potty. Just when I was feeling proud, I heard water running in the sink. My eyes get wide and I drop the tomatoes because even with her step-stool she can’t reach the water. I turn the corner to the bathroom to find her standing in the middle drawer of the vanity brushing your teeth. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? HOW DID YOU GET UP THERE? YOU ARE GOING TO GET HURT. IF YOU WANT TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH, YOU NEED TO ASK FOR HELP.” “Mommy, it’s OK. I can do it by myself now. I don’t need help.”
And that was Monday people.
I don’t know if I have Tuesday in me.
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Awww sending hugs your way….since I can’t send any tips
But I hope your taking notes for me when I finally get my little one! Then you’ll know all the tricks.
Haha oh please don’t use my hysterical mishaps as a parental desk reference. That could be dangerous.
Yer baby is growing up there, kiddo. Brain is engaged, imagination is in high gear and there is no knowledge, therefore no fear, of consequences concerning damage or injury. Mo is at the age kids recognize independence and start exerting it. If you haven’t started doing so already…get those eyes in the back of your head growing and keep them open at all times. This is gonna last awhile. There’s a whole lotta life for little ones to start experimenting with!
I struggle keeping my first set of eyes open all the time! I’m going to need tooth picks to prop open the eyes on the back of my head.
Yep, know the feeling. Toothpicks are cheap.
Yikes! Yes, I’d say three is just as mischievous as two, if not more so. I get by telling myself that things will calm down eventually — but then I remember that the teen years are still ahead of us. One day at a time, right?
Teen years don’t scare me so much. I remember being a teen, so I know what to anticipate. I don’t remember much about being three, so I don’t know what to expect, and that makes me a bit crazy.
You think the “Three” is bad…just get ready for the “Fearless Fours” Yes…there is a reason it’s called that! So here’s your “heads up” for what you have to look forward to!
“Fearless Fours” – noted. Thanks for the heads up!
i am not looking forward to this….. i thought the stage he is at now was hair pulling.. oh dear.
18 monthsish is no walk in the park; that’s for sure. You just double the energy and motor skills he has now, and that is what three looks like. Well, that’s how it is for Mo.
I am so glad to hear someone else confirm what I have always felt, that 18 months and 3 years old were much more challenging than the terrible 2′s. I can’t remember exactly why–I just remember thinking that. Oh, I do remember that Johanna INSISTED at 18 months to pour her own milk from a full milk jug.
Moanna is determined to do everything, EVERYTHING, on her own.
I totally understand what you mean. . . my boyfriend, Matt, has a little boy who is turning 4 on next Wednesday and boy has the past year been an adventure. I would like to think that 4 will be better because he will be older and handle things a little more maturely but I’m positive I am just wishful thinking. The only thing I can say to you is be thankful you have a little girl! 3 year old boys love to pull their wee-wee out anywhere!
I can’t imagine the energy of a 3 year old boy! And thank goodness, Moanna doesn’t show people her lady parts!
Want to know why noone tells us about the rest of the wonder years? Cause we’d stop having kids.
Ohhh that’s sneaky!