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.

45 supporters in group:

  1. SBS said...

    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.....

  2. A Christian Mom said...

    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!

  3. Anonymous said...

    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!! ;-)

  4. Deb said...

    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.

  5. Belle (from Life of a...) said...

    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.

  6. Stephanie said...

    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.

  7. Susan Cook said...

    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.

  8. Rachel said...

    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.

  9. ParentingPink said...

    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!

  10. Sue Wilkey said...

    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.

  11. Clare said...

    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!!

  12. Barb Smith said...

    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

  13. Lindsay said...

    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

  14. amelia bedelia said...

    oh, Lord, help you! I remember those days. But you are right, this too shall pass. Just drink, it helps. (kidding)

  15. Ali said...

    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!

  16. Unknown said...

    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.

  17. Anonymous said...

    LOL...been there!!! How about just laying with her...quietly wispering until she's quiet...and you both can nap!!

  18. The Mom said...

    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

  19. Brittany said...

    I have no tips, aside from re instating a crib or cage:)

  20. t said...

    A sound proof room...brilliant idea!!!! I need a few of those!

  21. Tyne said...

    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!

  22. Indy said...

    I just kept telling myself that this too will pass. It is just a stage. Eat chocolate. Drink wine. Repeat. This too will pass.

  23. jill jill bo bill said...

    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...

  24. Tena said...

    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.

  25. Jill said...

    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...

  26. Boomeyers said...

    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!

  27. Lisa said...

    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???!??

  28. Linda S said...

    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!

  29. flickrlovr said...

    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!

  30. Allison said...

    I am at the colicky stage with my youngest and I could only imagine tantrums daily!

  31. Merrie said...

    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. :)

  32. Insane Mama said...

    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

  33. Becki said...

    Ouch! Hope she grows out of it SOON!

  34. Anonymous said...

    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.

  35. Jenni said...

    Uggggh! This too shall pass, and all that right?
    Maybe you should take up drinking by noon?

  36. Aubrey said...

    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!!

  37. JenEverAfter said...

    Oddly enough, "tantrum mosaic" makes perfect sense to me! I feel ya sister. Have no advice for you. Just hang in there!

  38. Leah said...

    I used to read a magazine and ignore them or turn music up really loud and sing along. That got them to totally stop.

  39. OHmommy said...

    Oh no.... no naps. I totally remember that being the worst stage ever. As for the tantrums, those soon will pass too. LOL.

  40. Tasha said...

    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.

  41. Lisa-licious said...

    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!

  42. Lisa-licious said...

    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!)

  43. Anonymous said...

    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.

  44. Unknown said...

    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!

  45. Wendi said...

    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!

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