Re: My son is driving me crazy

Noah changed his clothes before school yesterday literaly 5 times, Iw as sweating before we left and I was pisssed off. I knew he wasnt TRYING to make me nuts, but I got there.

3 sucks

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Update: Before he went down to his nap I said "When you wake up we ARE going to the toy store like I said." -- He said fine.

Then naptime was over (he never fell asleep) and I said "Let's go" and the whole thing started all over again. I said "This is not an option, come downstairs now."

I walked down with Tyler and two minutes later he came down, put on his shoes, and was an angel at the store.

Colette - it IS a battle of the wills with Jack, and I agree with your approach, I need to try it more often!

Re: My son is driving me crazy

I don't think you should feel like its anything you are doing wrong, I think he is just at the age where he is testing his boundries and seeing how much he can get away with. But his behavior should have some consequences, so maybe taking some toys away, or NOT doing somethng he wants to do etc...

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Boy, am I glad I read this right now! My 3 year old was an absolute terror this afternoon. She came home exhausted from dance class with my MIL--crying and crying, etc--and REFUSED to take a nap. I tried to negotiate with her. Nope. So I had to take away the Halloween cookie that grandma gave her for after dinner--even though now, of course, she's awesome. I'm sure all hell will break loose tonight when her sister has a cookie and she doesn't. Would it be cruel and unusual punishment to eat her cookie myself in front of her. Because, you know, I had a prenatal massage today and now it's NEGATED dammit!

Now that I've made it all about me , I am glad your day resolved itself more positively than it started!!


Now back to me ...18 more days until HAPPY HOUR!!!

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by Eireann

Boy, am I glad I read this right now! My 3 year old was an absolute terror this afternoon. She came home exhausted from dance class with my MIL--crying and crying, etc--and REFUSED to take a nap. I tried to negotiate with her. Nope. So I had to take away the Halloween cookie that grandma gave her for after dinner--even though now, of course, she's awesome. I'm sure all hell will break loose tonight when her sister has a cookie and she doesn't. Would it be cruel and unusual punishment to eat her cookie myself in front of her. Because, you know, I had a prenatal massage today and now it's NEGATED dammit!

Now that I've made it all about me , I am glad your day resolved itself more positively than it started!!


Now back to me ...18 more days until HAPPY HOUR!!!

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by jellybean1420



You're NOT a bad mom. I think he's just stubborn and testing you. I know how annoying it can be but I honestly would have put him in the car kicking and screaming. He needs to learn you're the boss and he does what YOU say, you dont do what he says, KWIM???? I know how it is...sometimes you just dont feel like arguing.

Crissy, I HAD to leave him because I was afraid I was going to explode, so I really needed to just walk away from him. You know how hard it is having three people dressed and ready to walk out the door. If we weren't going to TRU I would have done it - but the fact is, he would have expected the toy when we got there, and he obviously didn't deserve it. That would have been a whole new battle.

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Discloser: I ONLY have 1 kid so I can't relate with more than 1 child.

This is what "I" would have done. Grab kid. Get down the stairs with him. Force shoes and clothes on. Wrestle if needed. (I swear I would do it!!!). Put in carseat. Go. Oh and tell him he'd better behave or [insert whatever he likes] he won't have it until the next day.

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by jellybean1420



You're NOT a bad mom. I think he's just stubborn and testing you. I know how annoying it can be but I honestly would have put him in the car kicking and screaming. He needs to learn you're the boss and he does what YOU say, you dont do what he says, KWIM???? I know how it is...sometimes you just dont feel like arguing.

Crissy, I HAD to leave him because I was afraid I was going to explode, so I really needed to just walk away from him. You know how hard it is having three people dressed and ready to walk out the door. If we weren't going to TRU I would have done it - but the fact is, he would have expected the toy when we got there, and he obviously didn't deserve it. That would have been a whole new battle.

I haven't read every post now - but I hope you don't mind me asking this... Why did you still get him the toy? Even if you promised, that behavior really did not deserve a toy - know what I mean? If he was going to give you such a hard time to get HIM something - why bother? It was for him - not for you. It's not like you had to leave for the grocery store, the dentist, doctor, etc... It really should be no skin off your teeth. Why put yourself through that stress if he is not sweating it?

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Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by smdl

Posted by Diana1215
We werent going to only get him a toy either, we had returns and gifts to buy. Telling him he could get a toy was just a way to hopefully make my life easier lol

Then he would have had to come. But again I only have 1. I bring snack and juice with me. When we ran out, we need to go home.

I personally like the Haagen Dazs booth at the RFM. It buys me time!

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by jellybean1420



You're NOT a bad mom. I think he's just stubborn and testing you. I know how annoying it can be but I honestly would have put him in the car kicking and screaming. He needs to learn you're the boss and he does what YOU say, you dont do what he says, KWIM???? I know how it is...sometimes you just dont feel like arguing.

Crissy, I HAD to leave him because I was afraid I was going to explode, so I really needed to just walk away from him. You know how hard it is having three people dressed and ready to walk out the door. If we weren't going to TRU I would have done it - but the fact is, he would have expected the toy when we got there, and he obviously didn't deserve it. That would have been a whole new battle.

I haven't read every post now - but I hope you don't mind me asking this... Why did you still get him the toy? Even if you promised, that behavior really did not deserve a toy - know what I mean? If he was going to give you such a hard time to get HIM something - why bother? It was for him - not for you. It's not like you had to leave for the grocery store, the dentist, doctor, etc... It really should be no skin off your teeth. Why put yourself through that stress if he is not sweating it?

Where did you see me say that i bought him a toy?

Message edited 10/7/2010 9:32:04 PM.

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by colette

Awwww D, this sounds like an exhausting, infuriating way to start the day, I'm so sorry And really, "knowing" you as I do (i.e. virtually-for now) I also KNOW you're one of the best moms, with all the qualities a "best mom" needs!!!

Here's the only thing that stuck out to me - don't make a threat you can't/won't follow through on - i.e., we're going to leave without you. You know you're not going to do that, and more importantly, JACK knows you're not going to do that. They might be small but they see right through that sh*t So no bluffing. Only threaten what you WILL do. That doesn't "weaken" you as a parent, it actually EMPOWERS you to punish and instill the lesson, kwim? Whereas an empty threat empowers the behavior you're trying to stop.

This is a dumb question but it seems like a power play almost.... Getting in Jack's head a little bit... mommy wants to go somewhere but *I* control where we go and what we do and that's the way it is and she NEEDS to understand that. It seems like it's not even ABOUT leaving, or TRU, or new slinkies, kwim??? Maybe he just likes being "in control" of stuff???? Or thinking he is????

Is there a way to play to that, like making the trip HIS IDEA (Jack, I need to buy a thingie for Mom/Dad/Tyler - where do you think we should go to get that, Jack? Make it a softball question kwim, don't ask him where to buy an obscure item ) or giving him a "job" to do once you get there??? ("Jack, I need your help; we have this widgetthingiemabob to buy/return/find/drop off at (name the location) and I don't think I know how/where/what to do about that. Can YOU help mommy do/find/buy/return it??")

I'm not articulating this in a great way but it seems like leaving the house is a "negative"to him - what buttons can you push to make it "positive" - other than a bribe with new toys which clearly doesn't work, kwim???

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by jellybean1420



You're NOT a bad mom. I think he's just stubborn and testing you. I know how annoying it can be but I honestly would have put him in the car kicking and screaming. He needs to learn you're the boss and he does what YOU say, you dont do what he says, KWIM???? I know how it is...sometimes you just dont feel like arguing.

Crissy, I HAD to leave him because I was afraid I was going to explode, so I really needed to just walk away from him. You know how hard it is having three people dressed and ready to walk out the door. If we weren't going to TRU I would have done it - but the fact is, he would have expected the toy when we got there, and he obviously didn't deserve it. That would have been a whole new battle.

Message edited 10/7/2010 9:50:40 PM.

Re: My son is driving me crazy

You are not a bad mom at all. We all have those days. I can relate, I have 2 little ones as well and trying to get out sometimes is nuts.....probably the reason why my hair is in a ponytail 5 days out of 7.
I will admit that there have been plenty of times that I had to give in to my DC for one thing or another. It doesnt make me a bad mom. We pick and chose our battles. You did what worked for you. You knew you were at your breaking point therefore you did the right thing.

Re: My son is driving me crazy

OMG, Diana, you know I hardly ever post anything, but I have the same situation here with Alyssa. I feel horrible almost every night. I yell at her so much and I feel like the worst mom, but she is impossible sometimes. Today, she went from 10am to 5pm without using the potty. I asked her 100x and gave her soooo much water and milk. I had to put her on the potty kicking and screaming, which turned into a 1/2 hour of her crying. I have no idea how she can hold it in for so long. For me the 3's are sooooooooooo much worse. She has had a tantrum every day this week. I feel your pain.

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Re: My son is driving me crazy

Posted by Tine73



I know, it's a challenge everyday. That's part of the reason I get up at 5:15-5:30 for our 7:45am departure everyday. I try to be completely ready before they wake up. I never know what kind of mood Elizabeth will be in. If I can get her dressed right when she gets up, the morning usually goes smoothly. If she refuses to get dressed right away, the morning usually turns into a nightmare. I yell a lot and I always use the ""Ok, then I am taking Alexandra to school and you can stay here by yourself bit. I know it's bad, but it works.

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You are not alone Diana

Every single day that I pick DD up from school, she has a meltdown - crying, wailing, screaming. I am mortified - all the other parents see. This happens any time we have to leave any where she is having fun. It also tends to happen every day at noon on the dot. I say its when she turns into "The Beast" - not to her face of course! She just needs her nap at that time and if she is not getting it, she's miserable. DS is complete opposite - he doesn't really get cranky, can make it through the day without a nap if needed, etc.

Every kid is different - deal with it however YOU can.