Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

So, as some of you know, I became a SAHM this spring. While it's been better than I anticipated, it's still truly not my "scene," especially since I'm pretty shy. So, I joined a meetup.com group in the hopes of "getting out there."

Today was to have been my 2nd event--the last one I attended was in July. The group was holding an open-play at Little Gym. I psyched Katherine up about meeting new friends (and myself too ), juggled the two girls out of the house and into the place (broke my keychain/car alarm in the process, but no big deal ). Paid my $15 and started to take off jackets and shoes...

SCREAMING, CRYING, FLAILING

OK, I stayed composed and went in the room...

SCREAMING, CRYING, FLAILING...oh and hiding behind me

I sat Abby down on the mat to play with some toys. One mom introduced herself as Katherine screamed and the others quickly went to another play area. The instructor tried to talk to Kate to no avail. I tried to play with Abby all while Kate screamed "I WANT TO GO HOME!!!"

OK, I know when I'm defeated, so after 10 minutes we went to leave. She continued screaming and crying while demanding to go BACK in...tried that...of course, she really didn't want to go back in...I could go on and on. I started tearing up, held in the real waterworks and got my money back. Katherine is STILL screaming throughout the parking lot and allllllll the way home.

I was just so embarassed and disappointed. Oh, and Katherine kept screaming, "I want to meet new friends" all the way home, along with "Stop being a bad mom."

Sigh...sorry so long, just needed to get some of that off of my chest...

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

I am so sorry!

But I have totally been there many, many times! My 3YO did that to me last night in fact!

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

it is SO hard! at least you tried to put yourself out there and i hope this bad experience doesn't deter you from trying again in the future! i know what you mean about it not being "your scene"-i feel that way a lot sometimes too! it is so hard sometimes staying home and just when you want to try and do something you never know what your little ones reaction might be! i hope next time is so much better!

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

I spent about a year with DS in karate watching him fight us tooth and nail about getting into his uniform, getting in the car, going on the mat, etc. However, 10 minutes or so into the class, he had a ball, so I know he enjoys it. Every class for the longest time.... Then he's upset at the end of class because he doesn't want to leave.....

He's finally being more cooperative now, and actually looks forward to class now. It's a stage most kids seem to go through.

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

sounds tough. sorry

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Oh yes. Been on the receiving end of that too, quite a few times between my 2. If its not one, its the other. It can be so hard. And no matter how it makes you feel, you just have to remember that every other mom there has probably had her time in the "spotlight", so to speak

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

I am so sorry. I remember last Easter we went to the mall with my nephew. He was 2. He was so excited about seeing "the Bunny'..We got to the bunny and he SCREAMED..Ok, we walk away. Walking down the hall, "I want Bunny"..We go back, he screams again.
I felt so bad for my sister. I think she was embarrassed too. She scooped him up and brought him home.

I am sooo nervous for the "Terrible 2's".

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

I feel for you. My 3 yr old has embarassed me like that many times.

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Posted by chmlengr

Oh yes. Been on the receiving end of that too, quite a few times between my 2. If its not one, its the other. It can be so hard. And no matter how it makes you feel, you just have to remember that every other mom there has probably had her time in the "spotlight", so to speak

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

I've been there.

Those 2 year olds are maniacal. The only thing they really want is to call the shots. And it's so much worse when you have a younger one because dragging them out is so much harder.

Realize that EVERY mom with an older child understands what you're dealing with & has experienced at one point something just as mortifying. Even the moms with the well-behaved 2 year old kids playing had to deal with the dreaded leaving-the-toy tantrum.

Here are the rules we told our kids (which didn't work all of the time):

1 - If you throw a tantrum, we will leave the place.

2 - If you behave when you're leaving, we can come back "another day"

To get them to leave, we would say good bye to inanimate objects "Goodbye tree." & then see if they could spot my car in the parking lot.

Since they rarely understand the word "behave", we would go over it in the car ride to the place...

There is NO SCREAMING, NO KICKING, NO BITING, NO HITTING.

We repeated it so many times, if we said "There is no..." they could finish the sentences.

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Good Lord! to you for attempting it - maybe today was an off day. I hope she is more cooperative next time, more importantly I hope you attempt it again in hopes it will go more smoothly.

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Posted by bicosi

I am so sorry!

But I have totally been there many, many times! My 3YO did that to me last night in fact!

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

I just wanted to thank you all. It's really not like me to complain, but I had just reached my breaking point today. It was great that my DH and I had a "date night" tonight... the first in like 6 months...so needless to say, I am posting while intoxicated...and it sure feels good!
Thanks again!!!

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

I think two is a really crazy age for THEM as much as it is for us. Sometimes I think they just don't know what they want, and they're trying to make decisions for themselves and assert their independence while having all kinds of feelings that they don't know what to do with.

I am so sorry that you had to have this crazy day, but don't give up! Maybe if you try again, and again, and again, then maybe each time will get better!

If you ever want to do a little gtg just us and the girls, that's fine with me. We go to music class on saturdays but the instructor is stopping classes for at least a year and a half after next week's session because she's pregnant with #2 and having complications --- so our weekends are up for grabs!

Just let me know!!

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

You have FM.

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Every Mom who ever had a 2 year old has been thru this. I have been mortified by the things out of my sons mouth before. BELIEVE me. I've left a full cart of stuff in stores just to get him out of a store. It does get better!!

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

wow im so sorry that happened to you.... i have been there too many times to count.. so i totally know how hard it is... the whole story sounded like i could have written it many times myself... i wish i had some advice for you, but being there still to this day once in a while, i dont know what to do either.... but i wanted to tell you that youre not alone and if you ever need to talk im here for ya...

Re: Just wanted to vent about having a 2 year old

It happens. I met Marissa at Little Gym for an introductory class and my DD was not happy. She cried almost the entire class. It's frustrating but very common at this age.