Help me, Jesus. I'm having one of those days when my toddler is using every ounce of his brain matter to invent new ways to make me pull my hair out. Where is a room with padded walls when I need it? One of us, I don't care who, needs to spend some time in there.
Oh dear friend. Been there done that. Twice. I have 2 boys, almost 6 and 8 1/2. There was more than one time I needed a padded room during those toddler days. Don't let them slip away though. They really do grow up fast.
ReplyDeleteI was folding the boys shirts the other day. I had to look at the size because I buy two of everything just a different size. I sat there for a few minutes literally trying to convince myself that he was only 7 not almost 9. Where did 8 go? It's almost gone.
They days are hard and sometimes bedtime doesn't come soon enough. But embrace this time with him because preschool comes way too fast.
I don't mean to sound like all the other advice or books but it's so true. You won't believe it until.... I hope tomorrow is better.
Katy
I have often thought of the benefits of having a padded room. I think my kids would absolutely think it was a thrill. The ultimate play room.
ReplyDeleteWe had a day like that on Wednesday. It was rainy and we were cooped up in the house. It was a very very long day. You only have a few more hours to go and then bedtime. I know there are some days when bedtime does not come soon enough=) Hang in there Amanda and slow down Jackson!
ReplyDeleteOn days I felt like that I sought out very populated places. It's hard to go crazy in front of a crowd.
ReplyDeleteI had a day like that last week and then after my son went to bed (he's two, also) I felt so guilty about not being as patient as I should have been.
ReplyDeleteSome days are just... hard!
Hang in there! This too shall pass.
I feel that way so often. Especially now that school is winding down for my 3 year old! what will my whale self do during the summer with the two of them? Probably spend it in a padded room :) Praying tomorrow is a better day!
ReplyDeleteHa! Gage is going through the "I'm going to wait for you to look at me and then STAND up on the couch after you just told me NO STANDING ON THE COUCH!" Ha! It makes me laugh though. Sometimes it is hard to keep a straight face. There just so cute!
ReplyDeleteYes Sister where is that special place?? We have all wanted to retreat there on days like these!
ReplyDeleteIt turns into a really great day when your little one then turns to you and says Mom you aren't being very kind today we should ask Jesus to help you. This journey of being a mom has many surprises I never expected.
I hear ya sister! :)
ReplyDeleteHang in there - he's two. It'll get better.
ReplyDeleteBut in all honesty, it will probably get crazier first. On the good side, sounds like he is creative.
Good luck - I'll be praying for you BOTH.
(btw - the padded rooms are over rated. The wall still hurts when ya bang your noggin against it no matter how much padding it has!)
I hear you sister
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I just looked at one another and said "what is up with our little one"
He has had a mischievous streak going ALL DAY!!
He is back there with the hubs right now screaming - thank the Lord it is bedtime!!
I will be praying that tomorrow is a better day :)
Blessings
Kim
You and me both, sister!
ReplyDeleteOh Amanda, I have been there. With two teenage sons it has been fun and interesting and I want to pull my hair out times with my boys!!
ReplyDeleteI think you need a girl's weekend with your mom and sis!!!
Have a great weekend!
Love,
Patty
It is Friday. Tomorrow you and Curt can take turns. That will help. Just say - "Hey, Curtis, I get first dibs on the padded cell!"
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, now you have a few of us praying you through.
I've had a day like that myself! A padded room sounds nice about now... At least bedtime is near and a new day tomorrow (with Hubby home for back-up) :)
ReplyDeleteI have so been there and keep going there from time to time. Motherhood is downright hard some days isn't it? Yes, it is wonderful and all, it really is, but it is also a very dirty job at times as well. I feel your pain. Keep getting down on your face and send that boy to grandma for a few hours...or would he come back worse? :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen you find the padded room, could you please send me the address.
ReplyDeleteMother of a 2 year old,
Rhonda
Oh, siesta! Been there and today I was back again. None of my 3 wanted to nap. WHAT?!!! So now, at 7:30 they are all in bed and I think, before I lose it, I'll be there too pretty soon. You know you're married, parents and OLD when you're going to bed at 9:30 p.m. on a FRIDAY NIGHT! Oh, the days of yore are just a dream now....BTW, I shouldn't feel like this at 29, should I Lord? ;-)
ReplyDeleteHang in there! I'll be praying for you! My oldest turned 4 a few weeks ago and it's definitely better, praise be to God!
Thank you for a much needed reminder that I need to be thankful and grateful at whatever stage of life I'm currently at.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm typing that without even a hint of sarcasm, just so you know.
P.S. - If you want, I'll trade Snuggles y Cuddles in for Jackson for a few days. I doubt Jackson chewed up your favorite pair of ballet flats as my two lovepuppies did this morning.
I've always wanted a padded room and a sound proof divider between the front and back seat of my car.
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you to blog about my book. If you need an extension (being in the padded room and all), I can wait! Your sanity is a priority. :)
Here's hoping that he's now tucked into bed and you're enjoying a little peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteAs a single gal, I have no words of advice--but I will be glad to send some serious prayers up on your sweet behalf. :)
ReplyDeleteOh girl. I am SO with you there. Except my 3 yr old has help from his 7 yr old sister so my hair might be coming out twice as fast. AND with my husband travelling a lot the last 6 mos? Yeah, I'm pretty sure they're holding a room for me at the loony bin.
ReplyDeleteJust remember "Idoveyoudismuh."
ReplyDeleteI think someone once said (it could have been your mother)... this is where the rubber meets the road... on the pavement of life or something like that. I'll keep you in my prayers, Amanda! This too shall pass! I remember having days like this and when they finally go to sleep you go in their bedroom and watch them sleep and they look... so sweet and innocent. By now he's probably sound asleep!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Angie xoxo
Boys at this age are quite a challenge...I had my Noah on a kid leash (he's almost 3) walking Downtown the other day. A friend of mine spotted us and jokingly asked, "Now, is that really necessary?" I just smiled and said, "Yes ma'am! We are living in the Year of the Five-Gallon Paint Stick Paddle!"
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't recommend a five-gallon paint stick for spanking (I just have one because my big boy has buns of steel), but let me encourage you to get some resources from www.gingerplowman.com. I WISH I'd had her stuff when my FIRST child was 2 1/2 !!! She offers REAL, Biblical parenting tips that are actually do-able for young mothers, and her stuff is great for those of us who have kids this age. Her DVD teaching "Reaching the Heart of Your Child" is SUPERB, and her book, "Heaven at Home" is wonderful as well. Oh, and the "Wise Words for Moms" resource is a must-have for any busy moms wanting to give their kids an effective Biblical reproof when needed, as "the rod AND REPROOF give wisdom." :) Anyway, next to Scripture itself, her stuff is the most practical set of Scripture-based parenting resources I've been able to get my hands on. Good stuff! I still have occasional days when a padded room would be nice, but usually something Ginger has shared in one of her books will help me find a more workable solution...and if it doesn't, there's always Starbucks after Daddy gets home from work. :)
Oh Amanda!! We have been going through it too recently. Today at Main Street Days I literally had to get up and walk away from Ella and Heath because I thought I would lose it. She was throwing such a fit. Heath showed up a couple hours after Ella and I got there and it was just in the nick of time. Can I be your roomy in the padded room? :-)
ReplyDeleteMy two were 19 mo. apart and there were times when I was totally exhausted. One would finally take a nap and the other would wake up.
ReplyDeleteI understand and will say a little prayer that tomorrow will be a better day.
Love,
Valerie
Girl. You are preaching to the choir. I have 2 toddlers (almost 3 and 18 months) and a 7 year old. All girls. My 18 month old is my "reality check." She pushes buttons I didn't know existed.
ReplyDeleteRead this post - http://3girlsmom23.blogspot.com/2008/03/o-my-goodness.html
See what I mean?
Get a babysitter, go to dinner, coffee house, mall, whatever, and give yourself an hour of space. It'll make all the difference in the world.
Also, not to be the bearer of bad news, but the 3's are waaayyyy worse than the 2's. The "terrible two's" are totally overrated. Wait till he's 3.
It was an Ikea commercial day, huh? The one where the mom says to her two fighting kids, "Someone needs a time out!" and she proceeds to shut herself in the master bedroom and flop into a chair, exasperated...
ReplyDeleteToday was one of those days for me, too. We had a major water leak near the foundation of our house, so I had a plumber here while trying to keep a toddler appeased and out of his hair!
I've never wished so hard for her bedtime. :0)
Is it a full moon or something? I have been in major need of patience this week with my 2 1/2 year old. And I know of a girlfriend that wrote the same thing on her Facebook page about her twins. The little people are trying to raise a mutiny against us! :)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has a three year old and she "tries patience" every day. The only advice I can give her is "I remember when you were her age and believe me you are getting pay backs". It isn't easy to accept because I think you were your mom's "good child", if there is such a thing. The years go by very, very quickly so just grit your teeth and bear it. As I say to my daughter all the time "This too shall pass".
ReplyDeletePraying for you Amanda!
ReplyDeleteAs a mother of 2 sons that are now in college the days you are in right now are preparing you to be able to keep letting go and letting God! Here are my top 5 parenting resources that have helped me as a first generation Christian mom that does not have ANY extended family members walking with the Lord right now...
1. Tea with another Christian Mom that is in the next season of parenting...Titus 2 :-)
2. Personality & Birth Order Christian Resources...helped me so much understand the fun-loving spontaneous strong-willed LEADER to be qualities in my boys that are now young men standing STRONG for Jesus (you are the precious one that Jackson is practicing the STANDING STRONG with that is preparing him to STAND STRONG in the world for JESUS!:-))!!
3. Filling my days-Saturating myself with GOD THINGS! Nothing but GOD THINGS! I was amazed at how discouraged I became from even watching commercials (not truth) when it came to family matters and being a God Centered Woman!
4. Outdoors with your Jackson...Daddy & Mommy & Jackson Trips...it is amazing how a trip to the park-lake-zoo-camping-creek-fishing-chunking rocks in the pond caused my boys to be in their element "outdoors adventures" (I even had a tent in the house for the longest time for our boys adventures and play days...yes they even camped out in it during nap time...with me & daddy:-)...it tends to get the energetic into everything an escape for those boys that tend to want to be a buck a roo! He's all boy and you are the so much of what he is bouncing his adventuresomeness off of...YOU are sharpening Jackson even if you feel like it is the same thing over and over and over...just this weekend my guys are both fishing with different groups of college friends while I am working in my garden and flower beds thinking about the times that they were pulling up whatever I had just planted...makes me cry!
:-)
5. Surround yourself with encouragement and those that speak encourageing words into your life...you are doing a GREAT AWESOME job my dear sister! The jails and prisons are full of men that yearn for a momma like YOU, one that loves JESUS, hands on, loving, caring, creative, loyal, true, devoted, long-suffering, beautiful inside and out, passing on your Christian Heritage and I can go on and and on...you just let me know anytime you need someone to cheer you on in Jesus with JOY...here for you just a little bit further down the path where my sons and like your son because they are HIS SONS!
There are many more that 5 points that I could of shared...that you for the opportunity of sharing His Blessing with You!
Under His Wings...where the padding is so soft and safe! :-)
One of Your Big Sisters Forever Because of Jesus <><
This too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteThis too shall pass.
This too shall pass.
Emily
Amanda - You need a word from your mom! HA HA I just got out of her conference this morning and she was talking about how Satan tries to get us to lose our minds and go crazy! Don't let him. Give God control of your mind and your thoughts. Tell Satan a big fat NO and don't let him use Jackson to get you to go stir crazy.
ReplyDeleteOh yessirree - it was a good one.
Oh how I know what you are talking about! I have a 19 month old and nearly 3 year old. Today I hope the Lord sought mercy on you! On those days I think of His word that says His mercies are new every morning.
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeletePlease take out the part in my previous post about jails and prisons being filled with men that yearn for a mother...would NOT want that comment to hurt any mom that may have a prodigal son...that was meant just between you and me...Blessings!
Hang in there, Sister. Praying for your strength and sanity. Press on...two is hard, three and four can be hard, too. But God is ever-ready to help you (and me). He has helped thus far...He is so good.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, Amanda! You're in one of the craziest, stressful and just plain crazy times of parenting. I will truly admit that while looking at pictures of my children when they were 2 years old (now 12 & 10) brings a pang of, "Dear LORD they were cute!" It's followed by a second, bigger pang of remembering what it's like to be a mom of toddlers. It's HARD!!!
ReplyDeleteLife with kids gets physically easier as they grow - and mentally more challenging. But as I know you agree - I wouldn't miss it for anything.
Hang in there, sweet one!!
Saying a prayer for all of us toddler moms tonight! Days like this are tough, but as you can see from your comments, you are not alone...and that counts for something!
ReplyDeleteMaybe bedtime came quickly (and mercifully?!) tonight?!?!?
You blog is an encouragement to me as we walk this "mommy journey!"
Amanda- I so have those days!!!! My son is almost two and my daughter is 7. What I learned from her that I am remembering now is to enjoy these challenges at the age of two. There is a lttle secret that for some reason Mothers dont share with each other.... terrible twos are not so terrible. Three's. OH MY WORD when they turn three. I vividly remember crying soon after my daughter turned three and just begging for my terrible two year old to come back to me because she wasn't so terrible!!!
ReplyDeleteCan I join you in the padded room? I could seriously use one of those about now...
ReplyDeleteI would always go get in the car as soon as dad walked in the door....head for Sonic....and turn up that music LOUD. For whatever reason, that always soothed the soul! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Fran
Praying for you friend!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand! Mine jumped right into the 2's and then now he keeps saying "Let's Go!" meaning he wants to move. The only problem is, we have already moved, but he doesn't understand. It's so pitiful!
Thank you for posting this! I'm a friend of Sunni's, and started reading your blog after following the link from her site.
ReplyDeleteI was JUST asking my husband earlier this evening (as my son was screaming at me from time-out) if all moms of 2 year olds are pulling their hair out right now. Apparently so!
Strangely, it makes me feel so much better that someone else is dealing with it too.
-Becky W. (in Arizona)