Oh My Bleeding Ears
DQ rarely had tantrums as a toddler.My Boy was colicky as a baby and had his share of 'moments.'
K? Oh baby K. Well, she pretty much broke the mold, shattered it into a million pieces and now makes Tantrum Mosaics! That doesn't make any sense, but whatever.
Because the potty-training/no diapers/no crib/sharing a bunk bed situation hasn't rocked her world enough... she decided to add NO NAPS into the mix.
That's just no good.
Her tantrums are daily, lengthy, and LOUD. The my ears bleed and my head throbs kinda loud.
She's OVER-tired I know. I give her all her lovies: blanket, bottle (don't even start), stuffed animal friends, a cozy, cool napping spot, her thumb (duh)...but nothing. She is strong-willed and of mightly lung.
Earplugs do nothing to help, I've tried.
Oh what i'd give for a sound proof room with lots of toys, and jellybeans, and rainbows, and a nanny.
Prior to jumping the rails of the crib, I could put her in there with all her necessities and have her thrash about until she succumbed to slumber. Now, she cries and thrashes aimlessly, following me around the house, pounding on the door when I lock myself in the bathroom.
Sometimes I want to start crying and rock myself to sleep, but that's not a good plan either.
SIGH. "You're Gonna Miss This?" Not so much Trace Adkins. No I'm not going to "want it back."
I'll just ride it out until the next stage, which i'll enter just a slight bit more deaf.
September 8, 2008 at 2:14 AM
Well, the good news is that if you do go deaf...you won't be able to hear it. Yeah, I know, I'm grasping at straws with that one.... It's the best I got though. The period of life without nap takes a huge adjustment for everyone. We are in the midst of it right now and it ain't pretty...... My daughter's melt downs happen around 5PM and continue until bedtime....which luckily, since she hasn't been napping, happens around 7:30 where I then go through the worst of the worst and she screams "But I'm to tired to sleep." Oh the drama of it all.....
September 8, 2008 at 3:32 AM
Bless your heart. My 2 1/2 yr old will go one, MAYBE 2 days a week w/out a nap. But by 5:30-6pm, she is whiny and oh so ready to lay down & take a nap. I think not. It's usually on the weekends, or when Em is not in school, that she doesn't want to nap.
I'm not ready to give them up yet. I hope she continues to nap for a long while to come. And I hope your little one will get past this stage, quickly!
September 8, 2008 at 3:43 AM
When the tantrums got really bad when my boys were little, I would actually get down on the floor and throw one right along with them. And no - - it wasn't to teach them some sort of "lesson", by the time my ears had bled for a while, I really needed my own!! ;-)
September 8, 2008 at 4:02 AM
Gees. That is very tough. I always hated going from crib to bed. It was the beginning of their freedom, and the end of mine.
September 8, 2008 at 4:20 AM
How well I remember (and still sometimes experience even though Lorelai is 18 years old). I agree 100%...I miss lots of things with her away at college but NOT the meltdowns.
September 8, 2008 at 4:50 AM
I feel your pain! My 2nd youngest is going through the frustrating screaming stage right now(you know where they can't talk,get upset because they can't communicate therefore they scream)
And let me tell you..it's a scream that could bust your eardrums.
Just know you're not alone...have another glass of wine :) and muddle through.
September 8, 2008 at 4:51 AM
Both my kids stopped naps a 2 yrs old! As soon as they went into a bed no more naps! I gave up when it took more time and energy to get them to take one then it was worth.
September 8, 2008 at 5:01 AM
Oh, no!!! Poor you and K! I wish I had some tricks to offer, but I'm still in the stage where I have the luxury of a jail cell, um -- crib -- to put her in.
September 8, 2008 at 5:32 AM
Yep, been there done that! My now 3 year old had awful tantrums a year ago. She stopped napping around 2.5 (whereas my eldest will still take naps!) so I devised a plan to make her have quite time. It works now, but man, it was hard in the beginning. I feel for ya. Just keep the ear plugs in!
September 8, 2008 at 5:44 AM
Dammit, woman, don't mention that song in front of me - I get a pang every time.
You're gonna miss the naps, for sure.
September 8, 2008 at 5:47 AM
Jen this sounds so hard!!! I know that I will have a baby like K one day I am sure. Right now I will be thankful for the little boy who says, 'night, night' and goes to the steps by himself asking for the crib:) Good luck!!
September 8, 2008 at 5:55 AM
Yea...I feel ya. They say you miss them being that age...nah, not so much. I miss the tiny days of snuggling and that wonderful Baby Magic baby bath smell...I do NOT miss tantrums, crappy diapers, finicky eating, outgrowing clothes every 2 weeks, backtalk (oh wait, they're grown and still do that part)...you know what I mean.
Hang on...it'll get better. *hugs* you and passes some chocolate. lol
September 8, 2008 at 6:31 AM
I am wanting to rock myself to sleep just reading this post.. I am hoping Sammy never leaves the phase he is in now :-P
September 8, 2008 at 6:49 AM
oh, Lord, help you! I remember those days. But you are right, this too shall pass. Just drink, it helps. (kidding)
September 8, 2008 at 7:03 AM
I've often wondered if God gives us easy first babies to make us think we can handle a second or third one. My second one can whine and cry like nobody's business!
September 8, 2008 at 7:55 AM
My baby girl is alot like K. Must be the female third child syndrome. Check out my post, Primary Pediatrics & see what she did at naptime. And she still has a bottle at nap too (but it never leaves our house)! 3rd child.
September 8, 2008 at 8:00 AM
LOL...been there!!! How about just laying with her...quietly wispering until she's quiet...and you both can nap!!
September 8, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Unfortunately, I have no advice either - this was one of our biggest challenges as well. Time is the only thing that made it better, and consistency.
I like the new look of your blog! It's brighter, and I gave you a Brainy Mom Blog award!
;)
Sex Diaries of a Mom
September 8, 2008 at 8:47 AM
I have no tips, aside from re instating a crib or cage:)
September 8, 2008 at 8:48 AM
A sound proof room...brilliant idea!!!! I need a few of those!
September 8, 2008 at 8:55 AM
Brutal! Do you still have your crib? Have you heard of crib tents? Check on ebay, you may be able to find a cheap one and try it out... in the meantime, pour a glass of wine and turn up your playlist!
September 8, 2008 at 9:04 AM
I just kept telling myself that this too will pass. It is just a stage. Eat chocolate. Drink wine. Repeat. This too will pass.
September 8, 2008 at 9:10 AM
I remember and no, I don't miss them. I tried EVERYTHING to get them to sleep! Even to the extent of the Dimatapp Nap(ya know honey, your nose looks a little runny... this yummy purple medicine will make it all better)But then I noticed that summer was easier, they would swim intheir little kiddie plastic pool and crash afterwards. So I used to put them in the bath in their swimsuit and let them at it. For like 2 hours. It worked for mine and they were clean...
September 8, 2008 at 9:43 AM
It's never too early to crack that bottle of wine!! LOL! It's 5 o'clocl somewhere. I think Baby K and Baby M would get along just great together.
September 8, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Oh yes, another mommy who has a child very similar to mine. Except mine is a year older and should know better.
Or is it that I should know better?
Either way, I find myself drinking a glass or two of wine every single night...
September 8, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Yes, chocolate and wine should help you through it!
You could end up like my brother. He became a father later in life and they have an only child. Should I go on?? Oh yes! Every activity MUST (still) revolve around her nap (she's 4!!) and they have been DRIVING her around for naptime (is gas $3.50 a gallon) EVERY weekend for the past 3 years. I.am.not.kidding.!!!! That is how desperate my SIL is to get that nap time in!!
God bless you and your bleeding ears!
September 8, 2008 at 11:28 AM
that stinks. really, really bad. Have you thought about putting a gate on her door? Or one of those doorknob covers that she can't open? At least then she'd scream in the room???!??
September 8, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Have you tried putting your hands over your ears and shouting 'lalalalalala', cause that worked for me for a while? Or maybe that was at my ex husband...I can't remember...
Good luck! It's no fun! You'll get through it!
September 8, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Oh jeez. Having just dealt with a 1.5 year old who screamed for about an hour after I tried to put him to sleep the other night...I feel your pain! At first, I felt bad for him, but then I realized, um, WTF dude?!? You're fine. Chill out. Go to sleep. You're diapered, fed, warm, cozy, have your lovies...yeah, you're set. STOP SCREAMING BEFORE I START. Oh, good times. I love children, don't you?
K, naps are a good thing, honey. Take advantage while you still can!
September 8, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I am at the colicky stage with my youngest and I could only imagine tantrums daily!
September 8, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Yeah, no, you're not going to miss that at all. In fact, I'm starting to appreciate more of what I do have, which helps squelch that creation urge. :)
September 8, 2008 at 2:45 PM
My kid had tantrums, full blown ones. They were out of control.
He is now 13 and having new tantrums and they are even worse.
Oh sorry, was I supposed to make you feel better. She'll grow out ofit I swear
September 8, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Ouch! Hope she grows out of it SOON!
September 8, 2008 at 5:14 PM
LOL - I LOVE the Tantrum Mosaic visual. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I haaaaate screaming children especially when you feel totally helpless.
I wish I had a solution for you. Just hang in there.
September 8, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Uggggh! This too shall pass, and all that right?
Maybe you should take up drinking by noon?
September 8, 2008 at 6:36 PM
I can just imagine. Ok, I can do better than that. I can relate. We are having full blown tantrums over here BUT I still have the crib up and in service. Only because we haven't gotten the potty training thing 100% started.
Sorry! LOL Hope it gets better and soon!!
September 8, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Oddly enough, "tantrum mosaic" makes perfect sense to me! I feel ya sister. Have no advice for you. Just hang in there!
September 8, 2008 at 7:23 PM
I used to read a magazine and ignore them or turn music up really loud and sing along. That got them to totally stop.
September 8, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Oh no.... no naps. I totally remember that being the worst stage ever. As for the tantrums, those soon will pass too. LOL.
September 8, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Dude. I swear to god I'm going to post Ava's tantrums on youtube. They're freaking insane. Dramatic, high pitched, with lots of NO NO NO's! Ugh! And 3 is worse in my opinion. Cant wait! NOT.
September 8, 2008 at 9:58 PM
Hey, Jen...sorry about your current sitch...been there! Just wanted to say how great your little profile image looks...I am so honored...really! I caught sight of you posting over on Sue's blog, and jumped over to say hello! Your blog is so awesome, and I am just drooling over your photography! I am in awe! Great job...will stop in again soon!
September 8, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Oh, yeah, now I remember. Benadryl! (just joking!-plus, I have heard kids can have an adverse reaction to it, and actually get more hyped!--yikes!)
September 9, 2008 at 6:39 AM
I'm telling you, our K's are wicked similar!
I fought K for the longest time about giving up naps. Then I discovered that putting her in the stroller and going for a walk worked great. I did that for awhile until the weather got too stinking hot.
My newest discovery is I'll put her in bed with me and we'll "watch" Fantasia or Fantasia 2000. Either one will put both of us out within 30 minutes. Works everytime and I get a nap too! :)
Good luck and I hope you find something that works.
September 9, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Urgh I feel for you girl, I think I would go nuts if my lot did that.
Thankfully ::knocking really hard on wood:: they are all still napping currently, it is my *sane* time.
I hope she either decides naps are a good thing again, or *moves on*.
HUGS!
September 14, 2008 at 8:50 PM
I am right there with you sista.
Cole is 4.
He has my number.
And he knows the whining and the tantrums wear me down.
Just the other day he said, "Mom, do you want me to do that thing again?"
"What thing Cole", I asked.
"You know that thing where I lay on the floor and kick and scream and whine?"
I told him that would not be advisable.
I think I have my hands full!
Good luck with K!