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The truth is, terrible twos can happen and normally they show up write around 22 months of age, which is just shy of turning two. So why do they call them terrible two if it actually happens at one? Because it happens just before two and normally never ends, okay that last part isn’t true. But it does normally go for a while, some say it is just the toddler growing into the whole “I want to do it myself stage” and mommy/daddy knowing better struggles.

For example your child wants to start dressing themselves, but he/she is trying to put his head in the arm. You try helping and this causes all types of tears, screaming, etc. They just want to show you what they are able to do and chances are if they have older siblings they want to be able to do what they do. They want to do things on their own to make you proud. So truth is the terrible twos, even though they can be really frustrating, really is them trying to prove to you something. They want to express themselves, they haven’t yet found their voice or knowledge to tell you what is going on inside their little heads.

Yes, terrible twos do exist but they don’t have to be so terrible.  The first time you hear that, “No” be prepared for the war to begin, but know it won’t last forever.

Post from: Babylune

 4 Years Ago:

Four years ago I had three children and the youngest had just turned 6 months old. We had just found a house to live in after living in hotels for 3 months, which means yes we traveled with a 7 & 4 year old as well as a newborn. This was not an easy time in my life, we were just settling in and lived far away from our family. 

What I dealt with:   it was diapers, tantrums, hotels, traveling with kids, picky eating and homeschooling.

Present:

Fast forward to the present, I’m now a mother to four children, the youngest is just about to turn 1 year old. The older three are 10, 7 and 4 and boy do they think they know all. We’ve recently moved, found a new house and the two older ones are in school. I am homeschooling my preschooler as the school out here told me they wouldn’t allow her in school since she turns 5 the day after the deadline. We are no longer in the military, we just got out this past December, which means we are adjusting to a new life and the hubby works in the city. Did I forget to mention, the car was in a wreck last month so we are living off of one vehicle.

What I deal with: moving, out of diapers, in diapers, breastfeeding, about to wean, exiting newborn and entering toddlerhood, sexual education, homeschooling, public school, change of life and everything from 4 years ago.

4 Years Future:

Leap into the future four years from now, my youngest is just about to turn 5. No, I did not say I was the mother to five, just four. The other three will be turning 15, 12 and 9 in the same year. What does this mean? It means I’ll be going from everything I know to once again a change in life because now I’ll be the mother to four children but one of which will be a teen, the other a preteen and then the younger two. Hopefully we’ll still be here, but with two vehicles and hubby will be getting paid more money.

What I deal with: everything from the past 8 years plus boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends, fighting, grades, groundings, teachers, “Mom can I have money, Can I borrow the car, etc”

One thing I realized by looking at the past, present and future is a mom never leaves behind things she’s learned. See, it’s always about changing life. Once you have finally managed to figure out the secrets of one phase it’ll end and a new one will begin.  Each step is a demanding one and one that has to be understood and have a lot of patience, but in the end it is very rewarding. Course getting their is the hard part, especially those trial and error parts.

Post from: Babylune

Now a mother with four you’d think I had everything under control. Ha, this is so not true, I’m constantly running around and trying to make my life a bit easier. Honestly I think it was easier when my youngest, Little A, was not even crawling. It seems once you get use to one stage of their life they are bigger and it is time to move on to the next stage of their little lives.

Well, I was watching a tv show the other day and the Gosselin’s were showing us a look into their already busy lives. Eeek! She actually has a few tips for us busy moms, or at least we think we are busy.

#1. Stay organized. Sounds easy enough right? Wrong! Kate actually has her own emergency kit inside her van, this way she isn’t always repacking her bag every time she wants to leave. Whenever her kit runs low she refills it immediately, this helps in always being prepared. Another item she likes to use to stay on top of things are lists. Yes I know ya’ll hate lists but they really do help. Imagine having to buy enough things for 10 people and only two of which are adults.

#2 Plan ahead. Yes, know where you are going in order to be prepared for the weather and/or how many diapers, wipes, toys, etc you’ll need. No one wants to be out for 4 hours and not have enough diapers. At the same time no one wants to be running to Walmart or something and have a suitcase packed and ready to go. Know what you are doing and how long it’ll be so you can plan accordingly.

Post from: Babylune

“Maybe.”

“Of course we are. And we have our lovely children, don’t we?”

“Yes, said Cressida dully, then, feeling guilty, “yes, of course, and they are beautiful and the best thing…”

“Precisely.” Harry picked up his diagram and threw it in the bin. “And let’s not worry about this stuff so much, hey? What can we do about it anyway.”

“Nothing.”

“That’s right. So let’s do nothing. It will be – - refreshing.”

Harry and Cressida in The Creation Myths by Clare Brown.

Post from: Babylune

This is the knowledge that helps me sleep at night and have christened these certainties the three pillows of wisdom. I think these truths make everyone a little more comfortable, so I would like to pass them along to everyone, especially my children.

The three things I want my kids to know are these:

1. Just because things don’t turn out the way you plan, doesn’t mean things can’t be OK.

Be ambitious, work hard and do your best, but leave a little room for life to intrude, for your mind to change and fate to make a little magic. Even in the darkest periods, there is room for the light of hope and to make it shine more brightly, all you have to do is keep breathing.

2. Humor really is the best medicine.

It is impossible to overdose.

3. Love might not conquer all, but if you do it properly, it is the strongest force known to us.

Use love wisely. Use it indiscriminantly. It does not matter which. The more you do it, the more there is. Make it big, leave it out in the universe. Beware of making it too singular, too direct. Love is not a target to be reached, but an energy to be generated.

This entry was inspired by the always inspirational Mama Blogga who is hosting another group writing project this week. Be sure to enter so I can find out what three things you’d like your kids to…

Post from: Babylune

I am now comforting myself with other people’s parenting techniques and menu selections via Manic Monday at Silicon Valley Moms and the Carnival of Family Life at Play Library.

I will be reading until I live down the betrayal of my easily-irritated throat.

Post from: Babylune

Until then, I am going to just cool my heels, read the bibliography dispassionately and see if my own spouse chooses to recognize St. Valentine’s Day tomorrow by being nice to his wife and mother of his children.

By the way, I have a few topics I have been thinking of interviewing other mothers on. 1. How is recovering from a c-section different from recovering from a natural birth and 2. for mothers with more than two kids, what are the 5 or 10 minute things you can do to make yourself feel better.

Any preferences from you as to what I pursue first?

Post from: Babylune