I had a moment last night y’all. A pity party, if you will. And although I am feeling much better this morning, I am going to tell you about it. I don’t want anyone, particularly new readers, to think that life is all glitter and unicorns around these parts because, honestly, sometimes it is not.
I picked up Regan and she was in a very uncooperative mood. Never mind that she was not in the same clothes I dropped her off in which means she tinkled in the panties which means I have to do laundry as I have to do every single day with her since we started potty training. We got in the car and she started crying and screaming about something totally random like the color of the trees or the fact that I went left when she told me to go right. Her favorite phrase is “no, momma, don’t do it!” and she loves to shove her finger at me.
You should know that I don’t play that pointing fingers at me mess. And I don’t tolerate a sassy mouth.
We got home and she was still screaming. Neighbors were looking at me like WTF but I just shrugged and went in the house. She fell out on the floor when I closed the garage because I didn’t let her push the button. I told her to stop crying and she wouldn’t. She had received a couple of packages and a card and I told her we couldn’t open her presents until she stopped crying. The crying got worse.
She ended up sprawled out on the floor crying and kicking and screaming. I haven’t seen a tantrum like that in months. She wanted the card. “It’s my card momma! Gimme!”
You should know that I also don’t respond to the demands of a two-year old.
I put her in time out against the wall and went to make dinner. I told her when she was finished crying she could get up and wipe her face and blow her nose and join me in the kitchen. She cried for another 15 minutes before she came in to the kitchen and asked for milk.
She was fine through dinner and we played for about 20 minutes before I put her to bed a full 30 minutes earlier than usual. I think the crying wore her out so much she didn’t even fight bedtime like she normally does. I did not allow her to open her card or her presents.
After I put her down I went downstairs and poured a glass of wine. I was in a pissy mood. I started thinking about how lucky that little girl is. I work hard, do without and put up with a LOT of crap all because of her. I would love to have a cute condo in the city and drive a little red mini cooper and plan trips to Italy. Instead I live in a giant house in the boonies and drive a mommy car and plan trip to Middle Georgia so she can pick fruit.
I do it all for her and she doesn’t even appreciate it. I am hoping that this phase will be gone by the time she is old enough to know better. I refuse to raise an unappreciative and disrespectful child.
Well, all I can say is that I’ve had those same feelings too and I may or may not have shared them with my kids. They do appreciate us BUT they are just kids and they’re immature/selfish. They will eventually outgrow “me, me, me” but it might not be until after the college years.
About the cute car – I’ll drive my minivan til the wheels fall off and in May 2018, I will be at the BMW lot!
LAWD LAWD LAWD…maybe I shouldn’t even comment because I don’t want to make you feel worse. But the show of unappreciation is the reason I have rolled up my sleeves, put my hands up and and told my my 6’2″, 200 lb son that I would fight him like a fool in the streets if he didn’t shut his mouth and walk away while he was still capable of breathing! I snappped crazy on him. Kids will take you there.
Regan is still not capable of expressing her exact feelings. So don’t fret, I don’t think what she is showing is a lack of appreciation as much as it could be a lack of maturity. Now if she starts destroying the things and not respecting her belongings, then that would be not appreciating. At this age I don’t think she understands sacrifice. However it is not to early for her to start learning!
Woo, woo, woo. Toddlers are very trying to say the least. I love the out of nowhere tantrums. The bright side? They’re not like this all the time? That’s the best I got.
My mom owns a daycare center for toddlers and I’ve seen and heard all the horror stories. They are cray cray at that age and I’m sure Regan will realize when she’s older how much you did for her.
Welp, my kid is 10. He doesn’t throw tantrums but he doesn’t SHOW his appreciation for the sacrifices I make for him. I have to remind myself that he didn’t ask to come here either. I was always called “ungrateful” and “unappreciative” as a child. Now that I’m grown and I have my own children I totally get what my Aunt was saying all those years. i think it takes being an adult to realize it though. AND, you could have a condo and a cute car, etc. but I don’t think any of that is better than a kid who loves you with all their heart. That condo and mini cooper won’t save your azz when you’re old and in need of a nice assisted living center lol.
Kids are ungrateful creatures. They make you want to throw your hands up and tell them they are on their own. lol Regan is only 2. She doesn’t realize what being appreciative and grateful means. My son is 7 and he is not appreciative sometimes. He thinks money is endless and when I tell him no I’m not buying him a new toy truck, he throws a fit. I know one day he will get it.
One day she will appreciate everything and compliment you on being a wonderful mom. One of the biggest compliments I give to my mother is that I had a wonderful childhood.
I guess here is where I tell you that LG asked for a credit card the other day. She said she is tired of asking us for stuff and all we do is say no. O_o.
Anyhoo, keep the faith. She appreciates you even if she doesn’t know how to verbalize it – she’s just a baby. Hell some days I can’t properly express it to my parents and I’m 40. That deep abiding love and appreciation you have for your Mom? Regan has it for you.
It does get better, then it gets worse (teen years), then it gets better again (especially when she becomes a Mom herself and can truly appreciate your sacrifices).
Sounds like the terrible 2s and they call it terrible for a reason. I agree with Amista, it will get better and then it will get worse again and then better again. Girls are really something to deal with because they have attitude and are mouthy. My daughter is 17 and a freshman in college. There were many times when I didn’t think she would make it to this part of her life and I knew she had to go away to college because we had to get space between us. We had some rough moments and yes, she was an ungrateful hussy. I often told her I love you but I really do not like you, I hope that changes. Well, it is changing now. People told me not until she graduates from college but thank God, I see the change coming sooner. She is maturing and we talk all of the time (initiated by her). She is not mouthy like before (she actually started toning it down alot in her senior year). It does get better, but you have a lot of times ahead of you. Pray and have a glass of wine and take advantage of the opportunities to do “adult” things whenever you can. The best part is you have your parents when you need respite. I didn’t have that. Sorry for the long story but I so feel you.
Toddlers appreciate nothing. It’s all about them. I’m trying to remember that it’s not personal. But if that boy has one more temper tantrum….
I felt the same way yesterday. My nearly two year old was fine at daycare then screamed his face off when we got in the car. It gets tough sometimes, but I’m sure they do (or will) appreciate the things we do. Bein a mom is one of those jobs that often times has delayed rewards.
Awww…Regs can’t help it! She is only 2. She doesn’t yet understand…but you are raising her right and she will learn!
How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is
To have a thankless child!
I could write a whole page of how much I feel you on this topic but instead I’ll just say “this too shall pass” and send you a supportive ‘hug’ of positive thoughts. In the meantime, have a glass of wine and breathe deeply!
This is me every single week!! I could write a whole book series about incidents like this one. Motherhood is the most thankless job on the planet – but also the most rewarding…….wierd…I know.
fatherhood is a tough row to hoe as well;)