The Trials of Parenting

Steve is really easygoing, and I was a very pliable child. Neither of us has a bad temper, and we never imagined that we would have a child with one.


My daughter turned one a week ago, and she seems to have already hit the terrible two’s. Everything seems to be a battle lately, and she is testing me daily. For example, when I change her throughout the day, she gets really angry, twisting her little body, arching her back, and trying to crawl away. Add to this screaming, clenched fists, and a very red little face, and you have one mad child.

I’m also having issues with feeding her. At breakfast she will sit in her chair and angrily scream if her food isn’t there fast enough for her. At other meals, if she doesn’t like what she is eating, she will raise her hand and shove you away. This causes the food to spill onto the floor, her clothes, and the chair. I decided when Elysia was able to eat regular food that I would give her pretty much everything I ate. This worked for a while, but now she is really determined to eat what she wants.

Bedtime is another trying time. As I write this, my daughter is screaming in her crib. She doesn’t want to go to bed, and she is letting me know it! If you’ve read my earlier blogs, you probably know that I have a terrible time getting Elysia to nap. This now often extends to bedtime.

I’m not really sure what to do. I mostly go on instinct, but I also always question my decisions. All this, and she’s only 16 lbs! Sigh...I guess she is 16 lbs of pure attitude.

One frustrated and confused Mama here.