June 13, 2012

never.

When your toddler tells you 'no', it is one of the most annoying things ever.  They think they are all big and tough and call the shots.  But Ryann has totally one upped the annoying factor with her new favorite word.

Never.

Not only does it mean no, but you know, no forever.  She plans to never do what I'm asking.  Seriously, I can't tell you how instantly my blood starts to boil when she says it.  "Ryann, you need to help me clean up these blocks before we get out something else."  "NEVER!"  Yeah.  I get it in response to lots of things, asking her to clean up, asking her to come to me, asking her to hold my hand, telling her to sit in time out... the list goes on and on.

When I worked in childcare my room was ten 1-2.5 year old toddlers.  Kenzie and I ran a pretty tight ship, and you'd think by now I'd know ever little mind trick in the book to get a toddler to behave and do what I want.  Apparently I don't.

I really hope I make it out of the toddler years alive.

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A side note, we discovered last night that her two year molars are definitely on their way in.  I've been thinking they were forever, but then nothing would come of it.  But the bottom left one is halfway in, and it looks like the corners of the rest are peeking their way through.  Maybe that is why she has been a bit... difficult?  One can only hope.

13 comments:

Ashley Antkowiak said...

My daughter Emmaline is 28 months old and definitely has the same defiant streak. She lost it at Target yesterday (she was tired, which is the worst) and would NOT get in the cart. She would scream and cry unless I carried her. I run a pretty tight ship, and sometimes there's just nothing you can do! My best advice when they get like that, aside from some good strong correction, is to just shower them with love. The more I try to just love her, the calmer I become and the more she knows that I care more about her than whatever it is I'm doing. I know you love Ryann - just remember to remind her of that! :)

Amy said...

Terrible 2's? Wait until 3's. I am DREADING it with Harper because I remember how awful it was with Pax and he was my EASY child.....grrrrr. My advice? Wine, (for you, not her.)

Nikki said...

These toddler years are definitely a test of patience. We get to hear "No, Harper do it" about 15 times a day. It's tough to be consistent and not just give in. I'm sure you're doing a great job.

Anonymous said...

My niece is 3 and we lived with them for a few months during a moving transition. She was all about 'my toy this my toy that' even if it wasn't her toy! Now, she's onto telling her mom what she is going to do if her mom disciplines her!
I think I can wait for my son to get any older, from reading this post..I'm not ready for him to start really talking.
You're doing a great job being a mom!

Ashlee Ridlon said...

Oh my gosh, I am in the same boat! I am told "NO" about everything! It's driving me nuts! Good thing they are cute huh?

Bees_Circus said...

Daniel's bottom left molar is half in too! Weird!! :)

Erin said...

You know, I never considered myself a rageful person until I had a toddler. It almost scares me how angry I get sometimes about typical toddler boundary pushing, etc. Also, don't feel like you're doing anything wrong because you were able to manage the kids at daycare better - Annie behaves pretty much perfectly for EVERYONE but Ben and I. That's when it's nice to have the "innocent" baby to snuggle with - it's definitely true that you enjoy them that much more because you know what they will eventually become - aka little demons :)

Mandy@ a sorta fairytale said...

Oh my!!! That is one creative little cicka you have on your hands!! Bennett doesn't say "never" but recently when I'm telling him to do something, instead of saying "no", he walks over to me, puts his finger over my mouth and says "shhhhh". That is so insulting!! lol

These kids are nutso.

Jenny said...

Yeah, that would bug me!

Have you tried the wonderful trick of giving her two choices (both of which you are ok with the outcome) so that she has the power to choose, but ultimately you get what you want?

Aja said...

Okay, I seriously started laughing when I imagined her high little voice shouting NEVER! at you about the blocks! Dying!!!

Sorry. Couldn't help it. :) Good lord, I can't even imagine! I thought NO was the worst of it. Blaaaauuuuggghh. Let us know if you figure something out that works for this fun little stage.

Meredith said...

I literally laughed out loud, because I hear, "NEVER! EVER! AGAIN!" from Lizzy at least once a day! I really have no idea where she heard that expression, but it totally drives me nuts, ha!

Anonymous said...

We have these issues too. We have found that the Parenting with Love and Logic method works well. Like the previous post said, it is all about two choices...ultimately both choices are something you want your child to do. Manipulation at its best :) It works 95 percent of the time.

Tara Lin said...

I feel ya! We don't have "Never", but we have definitely discovered the power of "NO"!