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Aug. 2nd, 2007 07:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
averygoodun42So Babe is... getting close to three. He's usually the sweetest child in existence, enough so that I actually tolerate him most of the time. Yes, hormones do factor into that statement, but he is universally loved in the neighborhood by children and grown-ups alike. (Well, Small A doesn't like him, but he's such a brat that his opinion doesn't count.) If he weren't my kid, I might actually consider babysitting him once in a while. He's that cute.
Today, however, not so cute. I have determined several things that disturb me.
1. He is not bribable. This is a good thing if it remains true for the rest of his life. But right now, when we're trying to convinve him to even consider using the potty... nothing. He'll ask for the treat, we'll say "You'll get the treat when you use the potty," and he goes, "Oh," and carries on with whatever he was doing beforehand. Doesn't matter how often the idea of the treat is presented, nor how it's presented, he just won't go for it. Stubborn boy. We also can't use reverse psychology on him, like "Only babies use diapers..." because...
2. He wants to be a baby. He doesn't want to be a big boy. He wants Momma and Daddy to do everything for him, except maybe chew his food. He knows how to do everything we ask him to do, like put on his shoes, or brush his teeth. This is perhaps in reaction to us trying to enforce the weening (i.e. he needs to eat some supper if he wants a bottle) and such, but... bah! He's too HEAVY to be a baby! He's gotta be over forty pounds at this point.
3. He's contrary. This one I know is mostly a two thing, but still! Other people he'll listen to, to a degree, For example, if I tell him to look both ways before crossing the street, he'll resolutely keep looking straight ahead. He might deign to glance quickly in one direction, but not the other. Meanwhile, I know he gets the concept, because while we're walking along, he'll say "Top!" pulling me to a stop then, "Ook bof ways. No cars, go!" He'll also do it if told by either of the neighbor ladies, or Neighbor. But if Geoff, or especially I, asks him to do it? *shakes head*
"You're just being contrary, aren't you?" I asked him today after he'd said no to many things I had either offered or asked him. "Not contrary," he said calmly in reply.
4. He is starting to really act out. Today Geoff got home from work relatively early (6:30) so I suggested we all go to the park. I made a quick picnic basket and we headed off. I will admit that Babe had been cooped up inside for most of the day (I'm trying to avoid both the sun (drug induced sensitivity) and bugs (obvious reasons), but he seemed to find plenty to do. I knew he wanted to go outside and play; he had asked only half an hour beforehand and was eager when I told him what was going to happen.
But, well, #2 and #3 came into effect, and he wouldn't put on his shoes. He knows how to put on these shoes. He knows how to put on any shoes in our combined closets as he has always been fascinated by the objects. But he wouldn't put them on because he wants to be a baby and I asked him to.
That was a mild annoyance, but whatever. In the scheme of things, putting his shoes on him is really pretty minor. I can deal. But then we get to the park, which he is thrilled to see. He runs for the playground, and starts having a grand old time. Then, not two minutes into play time, he goes and kicks Geoff in the face. On purpose. And refuses to apologize. He thinks it's all fun and games.
After two minutes of Geoff talking to him in (pseudo) harsh tones, I go over and ask Geoff if it's time to go home. (I'm not sure Geoff would think of withdrawal of privileges as a punishment; he's a softie.) We get Babe off the play structure and tell him we're going home and he's getting a time-out. He wheedles, pouts, protests and is a general pain in the behind. In the end he manages to get a few extra minutes in the park by asking to use the potty (the manipulative little b--oy!), but then it was home.
And he never did apologize.
I don't know what to do. All I know is that Neighborlady (wife of Neighbor) invited him along for a walk the other morning and I asked if she wouldn't mind if I stayed home. She didn't mind, and ended up babysitting Babe for about two hours. It was the most productive and peaceful and happy two hours I've had in a long time.
People sometimes ask if I'm going to have another.
HA!
On the other side of things, this coming week, I'll be going off to work while Geoff stays home to look after the big baby. I have a feeling I'm getting the better end of the deal, although I am getting nervous about it. I hope I can pull it off (the mural, not the being away from Babe. That will be no problem whatsover).
Today, however, not so cute. I have determined several things that disturb me.
1. He is not bribable. This is a good thing if it remains true for the rest of his life. But right now, when we're trying to convinve him to even consider using the potty... nothing. He'll ask for the treat, we'll say "You'll get the treat when you use the potty," and he goes, "Oh," and carries on with whatever he was doing beforehand. Doesn't matter how often the idea of the treat is presented, nor how it's presented, he just won't go for it. Stubborn boy. We also can't use reverse psychology on him, like "Only babies use diapers..." because...
2. He wants to be a baby. He doesn't want to be a big boy. He wants Momma and Daddy to do everything for him, except maybe chew his food. He knows how to do everything we ask him to do, like put on his shoes, or brush his teeth. This is perhaps in reaction to us trying to enforce the weening (i.e. he needs to eat some supper if he wants a bottle) and such, but... bah! He's too HEAVY to be a baby! He's gotta be over forty pounds at this point.
3. He's contrary. This one I know is mostly a two thing, but still! Other people he'll listen to, to a degree, For example, if I tell him to look both ways before crossing the street, he'll resolutely keep looking straight ahead. He might deign to glance quickly in one direction, but not the other. Meanwhile, I know he gets the concept, because while we're walking along, he'll say "Top!" pulling me to a stop then, "Ook bof ways. No cars, go!" He'll also do it if told by either of the neighbor ladies, or Neighbor. But if Geoff, or especially I, asks him to do it? *shakes head*
"You're just being contrary, aren't you?" I asked him today after he'd said no to many things I had either offered or asked him. "Not contrary," he said calmly in reply.
4. He is starting to really act out. Today Geoff got home from work relatively early (6:30) so I suggested we all go to the park. I made a quick picnic basket and we headed off. I will admit that Babe had been cooped up inside for most of the day (I'm trying to avoid both the sun (drug induced sensitivity) and bugs (obvious reasons), but he seemed to find plenty to do. I knew he wanted to go outside and play; he had asked only half an hour beforehand and was eager when I told him what was going to happen.
But, well, #2 and #3 came into effect, and he wouldn't put on his shoes. He knows how to put on these shoes. He knows how to put on any shoes in our combined closets as he has always been fascinated by the objects. But he wouldn't put them on because he wants to be a baby and I asked him to.
That was a mild annoyance, but whatever. In the scheme of things, putting his shoes on him is really pretty minor. I can deal. But then we get to the park, which he is thrilled to see. He runs for the playground, and starts having a grand old time. Then, not two minutes into play time, he goes and kicks Geoff in the face. On purpose. And refuses to apologize. He thinks it's all fun and games.
After two minutes of Geoff talking to him in (pseudo) harsh tones, I go over and ask Geoff if it's time to go home. (I'm not sure Geoff would think of withdrawal of privileges as a punishment; he's a softie.) We get Babe off the play structure and tell him we're going home and he's getting a time-out. He wheedles, pouts, protests and is a general pain in the behind. In the end he manages to get a few extra minutes in the park by asking to use the potty (the manipulative little b--oy!), but then it was home.
And he never did apologize.
I don't know what to do. All I know is that Neighborlady (wife of Neighbor) invited him along for a walk the other morning and I asked if she wouldn't mind if I stayed home. She didn't mind, and ended up babysitting Babe for about two hours. It was the most productive and peaceful and happy two hours I've had in a long time.
People sometimes ask if I'm going to have another.
HA!
On the other side of things, this coming week, I'll be going off to work while Geoff stays home to look after the big baby. I have a feeling I'm getting the better end of the deal, although I am getting nervous about it. I hope I can pull it off (the mural, not the being away from Babe. That will be no problem whatsover).
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no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 05:44 am (UTC)Luckily, you're potty trained.
The good news is that a lot of this behavior is totally developmentally specific and will change as he grows.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-03 09:10 pm (UTC)Yes, it is developmentally specific, so it will change (and this too shall pass, and this too shall pass...). I just need to be reminded of it every now and again. Or maybe get my hopes confirmed. :-)