So, um, I guess I shouldn’t have been checking out the nice ass of that nameless guy who sat in front of my during my Developmental Psyc lecture sophomore year. I needed to consult the internets to learn that, yes, crying, whining, clingy fits are definitely called temper tantrums and, yes, they DO happen in one-year-olds.
Oh, my Lord. I love him, but sometimes I just want to drop him off at Grandma’s and let her spoil him until he hits four or five. I can handle the boy things, I think–dirt, mud, wrestling and shoving. I might as well have been a boy, aside from my fear of small, slimey things. Tantrums, though….
Here’s the thing: I totally feel like I’m abandoning him when I ignore him (after I’ve checked the diapers and the gas tank) and feel bad for that, but then every once in a while I get a clear understanding of why babies are shaken. Now, I’d NEVER, EVER do it, but I get it. Like that doesn’t make the guilt kick in automatically? Yeah. It does.
I feel guilt for not paying enough homage to the little man and for thinking bad thoughts. Lord, I feel like I’m back in high school and going to confession.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Michelle // Sep 10, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Oh but they do SO happen….some would say more so in one year olds than two year olds because they can’t understand/express themselves as much.
I totally feel your pain…..with any luck, a the concept of bribery should catch on soon…”If you xyz, then we can xyz.”
Be strong. And drink wine–it’ll help.
2 starfish // Sep 10, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Oh I hear you! Mine likes to add a little biting to his tantrums…so special. Lately I’ve been trying to do something silly to change his mood - it’s been working most of the time - for when it doesn’t, I definitely ignore it and I don’t feel guilty about it. I consider it “character building”. I’m avoiding making him a momma’s boy, and that’s a good thing, right?
3 Christina // Sep 10, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Oh gosh, YES!!! It’s enough to drive you insane some days. And it’s hard to not give in to just make. it. stop. We’re at almost-two now, and this is the worst point so far for fits. I love the kid, but she sure does try my patience.
4 Laura McIntyre // Sep 11, 2007 at 4:42 am
Parenting really does comes with its bad moment,thankfully the good out number. My 10 month old has started with the tantrums already, there not much fun are they
5 C // Sep 11, 2007 at 7:05 am
I am not a mom but I imagine that this is how they all feel, whether they admit to it or not.
6 Spacemom // Sep 11, 2007 at 11:02 am
Normal!
There’s a period of separation anxiety that begins all over aroun 1year to 15 months. Lovely, is it not?
7 Stacy // Sep 11, 2007 at 12:28 pm
My son was a colicky boy that morphed into Mr. Temper Tantrum, so I know how you feel. Yes, all moms (or at least most) do feel that way when the limit is reached. Just make sure he is warm, safe and fed and go into another room. I would put him in his crib and go to another part of the house to give myself a chance to calm my emotions. It does get better.
8 Maya // Sep 12, 2007 at 6:30 am
I am so not looking forward to the tantrum stage. Our little guy has just started to let out this ridiculous scream when he’s not getting his way (like a toy just out of reach). It is so annoying!!!
Your honesty is so refreshing…so many moms try to not admit this!
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