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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Time Is Flying By

How can it even be October already? Before I know it, it will seem like a week has gone by and then Halloween will be here and then another week will go by and it will be Thanksgiving and then another week and it will be Christmas and so in 3 weeks it will be 2010!!! I can't believe that my last post was 3 days ago already! Nothing too exciting has been going on in my neck of the woods, I've just had a few things on my mind lately.

Autumn has been a little more of a drama queen than usual the past few days. We are deep in the middle of the TERRIBLE two's! One morning she was mad at me for something (I don't even know what) and refused to stay sitting in her big girl car seat, so I had to bust out the "baby" car seat that has the snap at her chest level and at the legs. She was NOT happy, but I kept telling her we have to be safe. Then on Tuesday, we went to the park after work/school to have our Pizza at the Park day (I forgot my camera, so no pictures) and when it was time to go home, she FREAKED OUT! I had to hold her leg the whole time I drove home so she wouldn't get out of her car seat. Then when we got home she refused to get out of the car so I left her door open and went in the house to wait for her. She finally came in and started kicking and screaming. I got down on her level to talk to her (like Supernanny recommends) and she came over like she was going to give me a hug and then scratched my face, almost pulled my earring out of my ear hole and then grabbed my hair and managed to pull some out. This all happened in a matter of two seconds, by the way. I had to get her a bottle and go put her in her bed while I calmed down. I just wish she could communicate what she needs to me so I can help her. I have noticed that when I talk to her quietly and keep my voice calm that it helps a lot.

Do any other mothers out there deal with this type of thing or am I just a bad Mom who can't control her 2 year old? 98% of the time Autumn is a complete angel and she is a sweetheart and we get along great. I just need to figure out how to keep that 2% under control.
Any suggestions?


I have been really tired lately, and always have grandiose plans to go to bed at 9:00 or 9:30. I stayed up until 12:00 last night (which is really late for me) watching Clean House. It was SOOOO worth being tired this morning. I don't usually get the Style channel, but I did last night, so I took full advantage of it and watched 3 episodes. I was seriously GIDDY that I was able to watch Clean House. I LOVE Niecy Nash!

Another thing I've been thinking about recently is how much we let other people have influence in our lives. Just today I found out some CRAAAAZY news about a friend and the choices he is making and how those choices are negatively impacting his family. It also made me question what type of negative influence I am having in my own life and the lives of others without even knowing that I'm doing it. I am going to try to be more aware of the choices I make and how they positively or negatively influence others. And by the same token, notice what types of influence I let others have on my life. I am SO THANKFUL that General Conference is this weekend. I have a lot of questions that I need to have answered. Marci posted about this on her blog, and it really got me to thinking (thanks for sharing that, Marci).

I always feel so uplifted and edified by Conference and can hardly wait until November when I get my copy of the Conference edition of the Ensign in the mail so I can read it and mark it up and treat it like scripture, b/c that's really what it is. I also want to make it a tradition to start doing something every General Conference. I think my "tradition" for October Conference will be to make Pumpkin Bars in between sessions. And my "tradition" for April Conference might be making sugar cookies or something fun like that. I remember when we used to live in Central Texas that our "tradition" for April Conference would be to go take pictures in the bluebonnets.

Does anyone have any fun Conference traditions you want to share?

4 comments:

tara said...

regarding Autumn's behavior...
time out works wonderful.
The phrase "YOU MAY NOT..."
also works.
( example- you may not get out of your car seat.
you may not hit /scratch or hurt mommy. if you do you will have a time out.
Do a time out for minutes per year ( 3 min. for a 3 year old)
If you need Autumn to do something tell her ,don't ask her unless she has a choice in the answer.
Like " do you want milk or juice to drink?" If she needs to go potty don't ask her if she has to go, tell her it's time to go .
If you give kids too many options they won't listen.
Time outs work but spanking does too.
My kids are 13 yrs. and 8 yrs. and these methods worked well for us.
Good Luck!

tara said...

regarding Autumn's behavior...
time out works wonderful.
The phrase "YOU MAY NOT..."
also works.
( example- you may not get out of your car seat.
you may not hit /scratch or hurt mommy. if you do you will have a time out.
Do a time out for minutes per year ( 3 min. for a 3 year old)
If you need Autumn to do something tell her ,don't ask her unless she has a choice in the answer.
Like " do you want milk or juice to drink?" If she needs to go potty don't ask her if she has to go, tell her it's time to go .
If you give kids too many options they won't listen.
Time outs work but spanking does too.
My kids are 13 yrs. and 8 yrs. and these methods worked well for us.
Good Luck!

tara said...

sorry for the double post

Stella said...

Yep, Tara is my neighbor and she has really great kids! Listen to her! :D

I don't really have advice. The more kids I have, the less I feel like I know what I'm doing. Just know that 2 year olds are primitive little tyrants and that eventually she will be more reasonable.

I am also okay with spanking. Save it for 'big' things...and I think a big thing is her scratching your face. I know that a lot of people say you can't teach your child not to be violent with more violence. But spanking does more to a child than sting their little tush. It hurts their little heart and they KNOW that they were wrong. They don't want that broken bond with you and it really is effective at stopping the really bad behavior. I've probably spanked my daughter 5 times and my son once or twice. Just enough that they know what a spanking is. Always be calm if you decide to spank. You don't want it to be emotional on your end. Just matter of factly swat them and say you are getting a spanking because ______________.

But mostly if you can anticipate what is going to make her nuts you can hopefully sidestep a lot of stressful situations. Be proactive instead of reactive. It will show her that you are in control and it will make her feel more secure and organized in her little world.

You are a great Mama!