tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post8723895291159347953..comments2024-02-05T02:42:30.941-07:00Comments on My Life In A Nutshell: Terrible Two and A HalfsJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09450173133642305438noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-16353125281894806722008-06-28T14:48:00.000-06:002008-06-28T14:48:00.000-06:00It's so hard. They just have so much to test on u...It's so hard. They just have so much to test on us and for themselves. And they so want to be independent and yet it scares them so much. I try to always put myself in his (sam's) position and just try and understand where he's coming from. At least I TRY to do that, but I'm certainly not always patient.<BR/><BR/>I think it started around 2 1/2 for us as well...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-15512663132206765612008-06-28T08:53:00.000-06:002008-06-28T08:53:00.000-06:00Yep. I have certainly found that Kaelen tested th...Yep. I have certainly found that Kaelen tested the limits much more at 3 than at 2. At two, he was still so sweet, dependent and listened so well. For the past year, and especially of late, he at the age of 3 is like a sponge around other kids. You can just see him soak up and absorb the antics of others. We are now dealing with sass talk, mild aggression and selective hearing.<BR/><BR/>But, I do have to admit while it is frustrating some days, there are other days that I have to turn my head in order for him not to see the smile on my face and the mutter under my breath of "You little bugger" .....<BR/><BR/>I think though that Kaelen is going to seem like a model child in comparison of what Masyn is showing future signs of ... .(insert big wink here).<BR/><BR/>Good luck Jenn and remember, on the tough days, try to find the humour in it for you can always relay the antics back to Lucas when he is older and can be embarassed or entertained by the stories.Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02233842319589466537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-13640463669797079372008-06-27T14:40:00.000-06:002008-06-27T14:40:00.000-06:00believe it or notI LOVE this ageits a busy agebut ...believe it or not<BR/>I LOVE this age<BR/>its a busy age<BR/>but they are learning so much<BR/><BR/>be consistent<BR/>be firm but loving<BR/><BR/>youll all survive it<BR/>and before you know it hell be a teenager and then youll miss these days<BR/>jenOur Home Schooler and Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03317027445515092710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20039585.post-30729542777467895502008-06-27T07:39:00.000-06:002008-06-27T07:39:00.000-06:00Jenn,I think age 2 and age 3 each have their pros ...Jenn,<BR/><BR/>I think age 2 and age 3 each have their pros and cons. At 2 they're asserting their independence which can make them VERY uncooperative but they're often too young to reason with or to have any concept of consequences. At 3, their vocabulary has grown exponentially so it's easier to explain things to them but with their growing knowledge comes the need and ability to explore their environment, try out the ideas that pop into their minds and use behaviour and emotion to manipulate situations to their advantage. None of this is intentional on the child's part, they're simply using the tools they've gained in new and often challenging ways.<BR/><BR/>Here are a few things that worked for us:<BR/>-use his skills to build confidence in positive ways. Turn him into your helper (ie: he can help in the kitchen, with the groceries, pass toys to the baby, feed the dog, etc)<BR/>-Use praise as your secret weapon. If he gets more attention by being good than by acting out he'll naturally gravitate towards wanting to please you. One catch though...praise effort, not results. (ie: when he colours, try praising his colour choices versus staying in the lines) Little ones can get so frustrated when they're trying to master new skills.<BR/>-find a way to make transitions easier. For example, even though he can't tell time, if he can recognize the numbers from 1 to 12, you can say "when the big hand points to 9, we're going to go have our lunch".<BR/>-lastly, don't worry. You're doing a great job already...just stick with it.Lori Aitkenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15873626036472102998noreply@blogger.com