Oh I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t question something one of the children does, and undoubtedly turn it back on myself as some kind of failed parenting. I sometimes think I have slightly unrealistic expectations about morality with my four year old.. like I questioned her lack of gratitude at Christmas as she tore open present after present without drawing breath... and without many thank yous without prompting (I know we are supposed to let it be self motivated but I can’t help but remind manners) I was horrified... but then I had to reflect on the fact this is all new to her and she is learning about the world. Always love your honesty. Xx
Ah we had much the same kind of Christmas. I think when they are that kind of age we expect because they can be so articulate in other ways, that they understand much more than they do. It’s crazy thinking they might not even remember last Christmas so it is all new. They are still babies really aren’t they.
The number of times that I have googled some variation of "why is my son a maniac?" is embarrassing. In fact, yesterday at the pediatrician, while my son seemed to actually bounce from wall to wall, I asked the doctor if this kind of energy is typical. He sighed and nodded. I come from a family that runs high with daughters, so I just didn't grow up with brothers, but my husband seems to find all this very normal. Anyway, just some friendly commiserating because it's the only way I know how to say we're all in hell, but at least we're not alone.
That’s comforting to hear! I’m exhausted by my two boys. I had two brothers but I don’t remember when we were this young but I guess it was madness. Must have been except as a bigger sister I could go entertain myself. Now I’m stuck with these two 😂
This made me laugh. I so relate. My son is so full of this spitfire energy that leans sinister. Some days it freaks me out and other days I kind of admire his ability to explore those impulses (within reason, obviously). I spent so much of my life trying to “be good” and here I have this little boy who loves to play the bad guy.
You make such a good point I think esp as girls we are taught to be small and quiet and you are right we should be exploring some of these impulses it’s how we learn. I’m pleased it made you laugh! Thank you for reading
Yes breastfeeding in those first few months is all the questions. I really wish I had read more about it tbh it was all very overwhelming trying to make sense of it all in the middle of the night on no sleep but we learn 😂 such a hard thing as well because I’m sure we just keep searching until it gives us the answers we want.
My recent one... is it normal that my toddler thrashes his whole body on the floor when he doesn’t want to do something or bangs his head on windows in frustration? Funny but also... so real! All the fears and doubts creep in. Am I doing this motherhood thing “right”?!
My kids often make a bug hotel which eventually turns into a bug hospital and eventually all the bugs have met their demise. It starts out so nice but almost always ends up there. It will balance out eventually.
Hahaha! This made me laugh. My 3.5yr old has killed many a bug in his time and my 2 yr old is right at that stage of his gentle love towards small creatures ending in death.
The first time I started to worry about the morality of my oldest was when he started to justify his actions of hitting his brother, or, like in your experience blaming it on something else. “I didn’t throw a rock at him, it was a cannon ball and the cannon did it”. I think these days way too much emphasis is put on our kids to constantly be loving and kind and sweet. And yes, while I am very strict in my kids not physically hurting others, kids are ratbags! It’s part of it i think! Adorable, but ratbags!
Oh yes that’s also on my mind. And visa versa. 😩🤷🏼♀️ Or how to make them friends. It’s probably asking the impossible for a search engine but you never know!
Aw that’s good to hear. Ours are 4 and 2 and I think their relationship is plagued with misunderstandings while the youngest is so young and can’t communicate well, but they do hit each other a lot and I really hope they grow out of it. One is more timid than the other though so an element of learning to stand up for themselves is likely needed there too hopefully it will come in time. Myself and my siblings were very bad too maybe it’s natural to some extent.
I was doing the exact same googling when my son (3 in January) went through a phase of stamping on snails and LAUGHING.
I explained that they’re living creatures etc. and now saving them and putting them on a leaf is the game. But I was seriously worried! 😅Especially the laughing.
Like you say, I think the big worry is if they start on larger creatures.
My brother in law used to eat ants and he’s one of the loveliest people I know!
This made me giggle in solidarity. Each day I diagnose my son with one condition or another 😅 He went through a bug killing phase and I also questioned whether he was psychopathic. It’s the monumental tantrums where he screams out as though he’s possessed that are particularly concerning for me ... it’s like something came over him when he turned 3! Needless to say, Google is a help and a hindrance lol. X
Oh I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t question something one of the children does, and undoubtedly turn it back on myself as some kind of failed parenting. I sometimes think I have slightly unrealistic expectations about morality with my four year old.. like I questioned her lack of gratitude at Christmas as she tore open present after present without drawing breath... and without many thank yous without prompting (I know we are supposed to let it be self motivated but I can’t help but remind manners) I was horrified... but then I had to reflect on the fact this is all new to her and she is learning about the world. Always love your honesty. Xx
Thank you Lauren. ❤️
Ah we had much the same kind of Christmas. I think when they are that kind of age we expect because they can be so articulate in other ways, that they understand much more than they do. It’s crazy thinking they might not even remember last Christmas so it is all new. They are still babies really aren’t they.
Thank you for reading.
The number of times that I have googled some variation of "why is my son a maniac?" is embarrassing. In fact, yesterday at the pediatrician, while my son seemed to actually bounce from wall to wall, I asked the doctor if this kind of energy is typical. He sighed and nodded. I come from a family that runs high with daughters, so I just didn't grow up with brothers, but my husband seems to find all this very normal. Anyway, just some friendly commiserating because it's the only way I know how to say we're all in hell, but at least we're not alone.
That’s comforting to hear! I’m exhausted by my two boys. I had two brothers but I don’t remember when we were this young but I guess it was madness. Must have been except as a bigger sister I could go entertain myself. Now I’m stuck with these two 😂
Yes we are not alone. Thank you!
This made me laugh. I so relate. My son is so full of this spitfire energy that leans sinister. Some days it freaks me out and other days I kind of admire his ability to explore those impulses (within reason, obviously). I spent so much of my life trying to “be good” and here I have this little boy who loves to play the bad guy.
You make such a good point I think esp as girls we are taught to be small and quiet and you are right we should be exploring some of these impulses it’s how we learn. I’m pleased it made you laugh! Thank you for reading
Chasing birds, squishing bugs... argh! You're not alone.
Love the illustrations!
Oh you are too kind 🥰 thank you!
Ah Google, both a parent's best friend and their worst enemy. Thanks for sharing!
The googling around breastfeeding on my part was epic. I was desperate to find anything to justify and/ or “fix” my low supply.
Also, lots of image searches about rashes - “pimply red spots on trunk toddler”...”signs of hand, foot, mouth”...”fifth disease”
Yes breastfeeding in those first few months is all the questions. I really wish I had read more about it tbh it was all very overwhelming trying to make sense of it all in the middle of the night on no sleep but we learn 😂 such a hard thing as well because I’m sure we just keep searching until it gives us the answers we want.
My recent one... is it normal that my toddler thrashes his whole body on the floor when he doesn’t want to do something or bangs his head on windows in frustration? Funny but also... so real! All the fears and doubts creep in. Am I doing this motherhood thing “right”?!
Yes exactly that! 🙌🏻❤️
My kids often make a bug hotel which eventually turns into a bug hospital and eventually all the bugs have met their demise. It starts out so nice but almost always ends up there. It will balance out eventually.
Ha ha that’s brilliant 😂
Hahaha! This made me laugh. My 3.5yr old has killed many a bug in his time and my 2 yr old is right at that stage of his gentle love towards small creatures ending in death.
The first time I started to worry about the morality of my oldest was when he started to justify his actions of hitting his brother, or, like in your experience blaming it on something else. “I didn’t throw a rock at him, it was a cannon ball and the cannon did it”. I think these days way too much emphasis is put on our kids to constantly be loving and kind and sweet. And yes, while I am very strict in my kids not physically hurting others, kids are ratbags! It’s part of it i think! Adorable, but ratbags!
Thanks for reading, Tansie. That sounds really familiar for us too. Like you say it is kinda kids being kids. ❤️
For a long while I was wondering/googling: how to stop toddler from bullying older sibling
Oh yes that’s also on my mind. And visa versa. 😩🤷🏼♀️ Or how to make them friends. It’s probably asking the impossible for a search engine but you never know!
My kids are now six and four and are mostly best friends. The bullying has gone down a bit and the older one stands up for themselves more.
Aw that’s good to hear. Ours are 4 and 2 and I think their relationship is plagued with misunderstandings while the youngest is so young and can’t communicate well, but they do hit each other a lot and I really hope they grow out of it. One is more timid than the other though so an element of learning to stand up for themselves is likely needed there too hopefully it will come in time. Myself and my siblings were very bad too maybe it’s natural to some extent.
I was doing the exact same googling when my son (3 in January) went through a phase of stamping on snails and LAUGHING.
I explained that they’re living creatures etc. and now saving them and putting them on a leaf is the game. But I was seriously worried! 😅Especially the laughing.
Like you say, I think the big worry is if they start on larger creatures.
My brother in law used to eat ants and he’s one of the loveliest people I know!
Yes the laughing!t there was no remorse here either. 😂 That’s good you turned it into another game. I’ll have to try that. 🙌🏻
This made me giggle in solidarity. Each day I diagnose my son with one condition or another 😅 He went through a bug killing phase and I also questioned whether he was psychopathic. It’s the monumental tantrums where he screams out as though he’s possessed that are particularly concerning for me ... it’s like something came over him when he turned 3! Needless to say, Google is a help and a hindrance lol. X