Thursday, October 26, 2006

Down and out

Sorry about the lack of juicy posts lately!
My goal is, in addition to our daily routine, to accomplish one project a day. That's what I usually document here. However, Andrew has started misbehaving while we are out and about. He knows that's my Achilles heel, and he knows exactly how to play it. "You're a terrible mother!" screamed across an aisle, "You're hurting me!" from FIVE FEET AWAY! The week is tense. My energy, sapped. I feel like a mommy failure.
He's a kind-hearted kid. He generally obeys. He plays independently and gets along well with other children. But until I get to the bottom of this, life as we know it is coming to a grinding halt.

16 comments:

Jennifer said...

It is the move. We moved this summer and then again last week. We moved from CO to OH. I have 4 kids. My 8 year old was chewing his fingers to what seemed the bone. My 5 year old reverted to baby talk. My 3 year old cried constantly for no reason and my 2 year old didn't seem to notice. Sometimes it takes a few weeks for them to feel settled enough to act up, which is their way of dealing with all the change and new stuff. I am sure it will get better soon. I will pray that it does though.

mothersong said...

I agree, the move and the baby. The excitement of the move probably delayed the baby thing, too.

My kids all loved the next baby that came along. But there was that moment when they realized that the cute little baby wasn't going to go away, but stay always. That caused a week or two of acting out.

Hang in there. You are not a mommy failure, just a regular mommy.

Anonymous said...

Put me down for "move and baby" too. It's a lot for one little guy to absorb.

When my niece used to misbehave while she was out and about with my sister, my sister would calmly pick her up and walk to the door. Invariably my niece would yell, "Help! Help! Somebody help me find my mommy!" It got to bad with people stopping her on the way out the door (as they should) that for a time she went everywhere with my niece's birth certificate.

Anonymous said...

Yep, I also think it's the move & the baby. Also, does he seem to be on the verge of any new developmental stuff? Sometimes that can make them extra challenging. I agree, staying home and simplifying life is probably for the best. I pushed my dd a bit too much today myself and regretted it (staying away from home too long.)

Stephanie said...

(((Meredith))) praying for you!

Anonymous said...

I'm on the new baby and move boat too. From a mom who's 'been there, done that' 4 times over, it will pass. Sometimes it takes awhile for the acting out over a new baby to kick in, and throw in a move, it provides perfect breeding ground for new 'behaviors' to pop up, but it will eventually pass. Hang in there and I'll be praying for you!

Susan Godfrey said...

Praying for you here! Riley's been doing a lot of the same things (he's nearly 3) and it's driving me crazy!

amelia said...

Most likely all the changes. Praying you'll have wisdom and patience and that he'll adapt soon.

Green Tea & Kimchee said...

Did he go through "terrible twos"? My Sean did not, he was so sweet and well-behaved and I could not have been prouder! Then, he turned four. He has never been as badly behaved as some others but sometimes I think he just postponed those two year old tantrums and moods for later on.

My husband gets annoyed at our 11 year old as well. One of us reaches towards him or for something above him and he flinches or takes a defensive pose like we just back-hand him at every opportunity and we don't even spank or smack our children!

New sister, new home, doting grandmother visiting......

Anonymous said...

We've been having that lately too, and I don't even have a move or baby to blame it on. Hope it ends soon for you.

Anonymous said...

Meredith, I just wanted to come back and add that I appreciate your honesty. One reason I love reading your blog is you seem so calm and to "have it all together." I have a 3 yo and a 6 month old, and my home is pretty chaotic at the moment! So I read your blog for encouragement and inspiration. Even so, it's nice to know that you have your moments of frustration too. (Though I hope it passes quickly!)

Carrie J said...

Mom of 4 here on the new baby and move bandwagon with the rest. I don't know Andrew's personality so this may not be an issue, but do not let him see this upset you. He wants results and if he is the type child that would, he will! LOL This too shall pass.

Goslyn said...

Praying for you and for Andrew, Meredith. I hope it gets better soon. It sounds like a lot to handle right now.

Anonymous said...

You're proving that you're a SUCCESSFUL mommy, not a failure, by recognizing the need at home and dealing with it.

All the wisdom offered by previous commenters seems absolutely right to me, too.

praying for you!

debbie

Anonymous said...

You are a great and very patient mother, but kids have a way of finding buttons and pushing them. It will right itself in the end. Taking time off from projects and trips will probably help a lot.

Meredith said...

Thanks for the encouragement!