We've reached that fun toddler stage where Q wants to share, by which I mean he wants to take whatever he's eating, often after he's tasted it, and shove it in your mouth
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Four and five were fabulous at our house. Puppy of course still had meltdowns, but they were less frequently the sort that involved flailing and head butting, and more frequently hilarious, with the packing of back packs for running away and lectures about mommies needing manners too.
Yeah, in 2 out of 4, 17 was a good one. I'll have to let you know next year and in 8 years whether that pans out for the remaining 2.
18 is pretty nice until the couple of weeks before you pack them off to college, when their anxiety about how they will manage, and their inability to mention ever having had an anxiety ever, let alone about this leads them to pick fights, just when you are trying to suck in great draughts of their presence before they drift away, off into Real Life.
UGH. I am totally in anticipation of this stage. He doesn't turn 18 until right before I pack him off, though, so I expect it to kick in just prior. He got his first acceptance yesterday and it COMPLETELY FREAKED HIM OUT. He said, "Well, I mean, holy shit I AM GOING TO COLLEGE NEXT YEAR."
So, yes, I expect some anxiety and when he's anxious, he does pick fights with me. (I think it's because I'm the person he least has his guard up around. Doesn't make it more pleasant!)
Two is easy. If you want "big" say "Q., we need 'small', in fact we demand it." Hey presto! "Big"
The real thing to remember is that what ever the stage is, in the scheme of things, it's short. It will pass, and sooner than it seems when you are in the trenches with it. Remember that shakey-goatey middle of the night wail, that was insistant, and heart breaking, and OMG! will we ever sleep through the night again? Gone. All gone. Never to return. Enjoy each stage, and find the humor in it. People love to whine about the bad parts. Don't miss the opportunity to find and enjoy the hell out of the good parts of each stage, because it is all gone too soon.
I remember 5 as a lovely age, btw. So is 8. I happen to adore 2s, because it's when they really invest all of life with the full force of their developing and blooming personality. You begin to see a real glimpse of who they are as rugged individualists then.
I've got two sons, one 20, the other 15 next week. Boys are easier, but they are also more apt to turn away when you tell them to do something and do what they want instead of what you told them. The 'terrible-twos' weren't so terrible in our house. It actually wasn't bad until they started school. THAT is when they get exposed to all the kids who need to be in kiddie penitentiaries and come home with lovely new words and habits that make you immediately consider homeschooling your child. And don't get me started on the education system! lol
We're approaching 2 with our first, and while she doesn't tend to offer us her food, she does feel free to spit out anything she "doesn't like" (even if she previously liked it, as recently as two bites ago), and she'll also spit things out if she gets a better offer (I'm still chewing my sweet potato fries, but that yogurt looks GREAT, so out come the sweet potatoes). Ah well.
And thothmes is right, the different stages all go so quickly. When they're going badly, we need to remind ourselves of that so they don't drive us crazy, and when things are going well, we need to remind ourselves so we don't blink and miss it! :) I was reminded of this when looking at pictures of a 6-month old and realizing just how far our daughter has come in 17 months. We've got another on the way, though, so we'll get to go through it all again, just in case we've forgotten some of the stages. :)
Ahhh, I remember the sharing stage well. Totally gross, even if it won't kill you (so glad I didn't have to worry about that).
5 was actually a great age at our house. Actually, about 5 - 8 were really good. Then around 9 pre-puberty hormones started to kick in and things started to get shaky. They've been on a downward spiral and 6th grade last year was hell. there has been a slight improvement here in 7th grade, although puberty is rearing it's ugly head. I swear, the kid starts to stink as soon as he gets out of the shower. WTH?
Still, they have their moments even in the worst of phases. We just keep reminding ourselves "This, too, shall pass. As long as I don't kill him first."
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And I sort of love 17.
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18 is pretty nice until the couple of weeks before you pack them off to college, when their anxiety about how they will manage, and their inability to mention ever having had an anxiety ever, let alone about this leads them to pick fights, just when you are trying to suck in great draughts of their presence before they drift away, off into Real Life.
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So, yes, I expect some anxiety and when he's anxious, he does pick fights with me. (I think it's because I'm the person he least has his guard up around. Doesn't make it more pleasant!)
Reply
The real thing to remember is that what ever the stage is, in the scheme of things, it's short. It will pass, and sooner than it seems when you are in the trenches with it. Remember that shakey-goatey middle of the night wail, that was insistant, and heart breaking, and OMG! will we ever sleep through the night again? Gone. All gone. Never to return. Enjoy each stage, and find the humor in it. People love to whine about the bad parts. Don't miss the opportunity to find and enjoy the hell out of the good parts of each stage, because it is all gone too soon.
I remember 5 as a lovely age, btw. So is 8. I happen to adore 2s, because it's when they really invest all of life with the full force of their developing and blooming personality. You begin to see a real glimpse of who they are as rugged individualists then.
Reply
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And thothmes is right, the different stages all go so quickly. When they're going badly, we need to remind ourselves of that so they don't drive us crazy, and when things are going well, we need to remind ourselves so we don't blink and miss it! :) I was reminded of this when looking at pictures of a 6-month old and realizing just how far our daughter has come in 17 months. We've got another on the way, though, so we'll get to go through it all again, just in case we've forgotten some of the stages. :)
Reply
5 was actually a great age at our house. Actually, about 5 - 8 were really good. Then around 9 pre-puberty hormones started to kick in and things started to get shaky. They've been on a downward spiral and 6th grade last year was hell. there has been a slight improvement here in 7th grade, although puberty is rearing it's ugly head. I swear, the kid starts to stink as soon as he gets out of the shower. WTH?
Still, they have their moments even in the worst of phases. We just keep reminding ourselves "This, too, shall pass. As long as I don't kill him first."
Reply
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