Friday, February 6, 2009

round one for the toddler

Today was a tough day. Campbell is 2.5 years old and is so smart that it seems as if I cant pull anything past her. It is also getting hard to deal with her discipline wise. I think I am at my witts end. I have tried time out (naughty spot), I have tried speaking with her in short toddler phrases, I have tried the not so popular "spank", I have tried diverting her attention and nothing...I have no results. She is a very good girl but you know the saying...."when they are bad, they are very, very bad." Well that's my daughter for you. She has been overly rough with her baby brother, whacked her friend Keegan on the head yesterday at the park and has not been "listening with her ears, using her mind and opening her heart" when mommy speaks to her.
Daddy is traveling a lot lately for work which is a good thing and not unusual because he traveled when she was younger but lately she is very talkative about these "trips." We felt that since she was older we would explain to her that daddy goes on work "trips" sometimes by car and sometimes by airplane and that he will be back soon and that he loves us very much. She talks about these "trips" so much to the point of booking his next travel itinerary.
So I am not sure, maybe she is acting out because of all of this recent travel and now that she is older, her little mind going a million miles an hour it is just too much.
I just know that today was tough. I had enough of her being mean to brother bear and I couldn't figure out a way to make her understand that she cant behave that way. Basically bedtime couldn't come fast enough today.
My heart is heavy because I feel like I don't know what to do to make an impact on her in a positive, disciplinary way. I guess I will have to look for answers in books, read advice from friends (bloggy ones included) and pray. I think I have to pray!!!!

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8 comments:

Its A Corny Life... said...

Geez ML, I am so sorry. It sounds like you are having a tough time. I wish I had some advice for you, but I am way behind in the mommy-ing thing and don't really know much. Although hopefully when Abby goes through this stage, you will be able to help ME out. *Grin*. But seriously...I wish I could help. I am sure there will be many other bloggy friends with awesome advice, seeing how I lack it. But we WILL pray for you. You can count on that.

xoxo
Stacie

Michelle said...

For whatever it is worth, we had a crazy day yesterday as well! Keegan used the word over 100 times. I was about to pull my hair out. So, I guess we can just chalk it up to a stage...

Sarah said...

I am so with you! I might not have any grand advice... but sometimes just knowing other people are going through the same things helps! Let me know if you get any great advice... I need some myself! (see last post on the blog!) I am praying for you though... right now, so my busy, harried self doesn't forget :)

Esther said...

I had a hard day too! There must be a change in barometer or something. I've had to re-evalutate my discipline with my boys, and after some searching, what I've found is the Love and Logic tactics. They are really great, and the boys are already responding after a day. The book I love is here: http://www.loveandlogic.com/ecom/pc-121-25-love-and-logic-magic-for-early-childhood-book.aspx
Hope it helps! Keep a smile on your face, it will get better!

Beth said...

I am so sorry you're going through this. I don't have any advice, but wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and and will add you to our prayers! Good luck and keep us posted.

Missy said...

I know it doesn't help much, but here's the problem: she's TWO.

They don't call them terrible for nothing.

So much of discipline is trial and error. Heavy on the error side ;)

Allison said...

Yikes, I definitely don't have any advice, but hopefully it will pass soon. I'll be thinking of you.....

Amy - AKA - TigerMommie said...

I found your blog from Four little men.......My son is about this age as well......and one thing that frustrates me the most is when he laughs as I'm trying to discipline him. He just doesn't always get it. Indeed, it's a tough age. Old enough to understand so much, but yet not old enough to get a lot of it! Good luck.......