Terrible Twos!

Lately around our household we have been experiencing the dreaded hissy fits, temper tantrums, or whatever you would like to call them. Any of these terms are enough to strike fear in the hearts of even the most level headed parents...especially when they are in the middle of the local grocery store.  We all remember what it was like being in the store before we had children and thinking "Why don't they do something with that kid that is screaming?" Well, we now know that there is not a whole lot you can do with them once the temper tantrum has commenced.  I have been fortunate that Eli has not thrown  a temper tantrum in public yet but I am sure it is just a matter of time!

When Eli first started these hissy fits I was very discouraged when I realized that nothing I did seemed to stop them...and even more discouraged when I did a little research and found out that the "Terrible Twos" can actually be from age one and a half to age four!!  It was very upsetting that my sweet little boy would go from happy and blowing kisses to rolling around on the floor and screaming his head off over the slightest little thing!!

Apparently there are several different types of temperaments in children and it seems what we are dealing with is poor adaptability due to the fact that Eli's tantrums are usually brought on by a change in activities such as bedtime or coming in from playing outside.  So far the interventions that have worked best for us are telling him what is going to happen ahead of time (like telling him it is almost time for bed or to go inside) and distraction.  It is amazing what  a little Mickey Mouse or Sesame Street can do!!

Here are some links with some good information about temper tantrums:

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/behavior/tantrums_ho.aspx

http://children.webmd.com/tc/temper-tantrums-topic-overview

Temper Tantrums are a normal part of growing up and all children experience them from time to time.  What are some ways that you have found to effectively deal with your child's tantums?

Sound Familiar?

Haven't we all been there? The oven timer's going off, the phone is ringing, one kid is climbing on the counter and the other is putting everything within his little reach into his mouth! Motherhood can make you feel like you are pulled in so many different directions that sometimes you want to hide in the closet with a carton of Blue Bell (or your favorite bag of potato chips) and hope no one notices that you are gone!  It is so true that there is nothing like having children but this saying covers so much more than it seems.  There is nothing like when they throw their little arms around your neck or give you a kiss, but there is also nothing like hours of homework, dirty diapers and being woken up every hour of every nite to replace a paci or give a bottle!  Mommies are THE "Jack of all Trades" and we want all you funky moms to stay funky and join us for laughs, advice and a little bit of mommy time!