I'm in a very VERY bad mood. I came home today from work after surviving a tough week to a very cranky and impossible toddler. After all, this week I did give notice to the consulting company I currently work for. The oldest one did not nap and was being a complete - well - asshole.
I don't normally go around calling my 4 year old son an asshole, but that is how he was behaving. He wouldn't come when I called; ignored me when I talked to him; wouldn't eat dinner; kept popping out of bed; and really, was just being an asshole. Finally, when my 4 year old asked if I would lay down with him and snuggle, I gave in. I really thought that he would just fall asleep - we were comfortable and snuggly.
But, it wasn't to be. He kept saying that he was hungry only to sit and stare and say that he was sleepy when we put the hamburger that we were having for dinner in front of him. That happened about 3 or 4 times before I completely lost it and said in a growling voice, "GO TO FREAKIN' BED ALREADY BEFORE I REALLY LOSE MY TEMPER!" I hate that I'm a "yelling" parent but it is what I am when I'm pushed to my limit.
I cannot understand why my 4 year old is being such a pain in the butt. Usually I can get him to go to bed, but for whatever reason tonight was terrible. Ugh! Parenting, truly the most rewarding job, but the most ridiculously frustrating!
You are not alone in this one. It seems like all the moms I know with kids 2-5 yrs old are having a similar issue. It's got to be the weather here, or something, because even some random mom I chatted with at the park said her child was all out of sorts and driving her insane this week. Note that I'm writing this at 11:30p with a 2.5 yr old who will NOT go to sleep. *sighs* I'm totally blaming it on the residual hurricane rain that made it to Chicago. LOL!
Posted by: Jennifer | September 12, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Ugh--it happens to the best of us!
Posted by: Asianmommy | September 14, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Skipping a nap will do that to bed time. On the other hand, you are soooo lucky that your 4-year-old still naps at all. Mine stopped napping a full year ago.
Still, there is a pretty simple solution to getting out of bed problems. Do not allow it. Ever. Every night when we tuck our 4-year-old in, we remind her of the Rules of Bedtime. No noise. No getting out of bed except to go to the potty, and that is a quick roundtrip only. If we hear any noise including the sound of her getting out of bed (and she's not making that one potty trip), we will have to turn off the hall light. If there is any other noise after that, the bedroom door will be shut for the rest of the night.
This prospect is horrifying enough for Nutmeg that we have only had to do it once or twice, ever.
Oh, and if she didn't eat her dinner, she just has to wait until breakfast. Age 4 is not too young to learn about the consequences of your actions.
Posted by: Carrie | September 18, 2008 at 07:01 PM