I know you look at this picture and think your yourself..how could this kid ever being anything but adorable but let me tell you something about this 15 1/2 month old boy named Max. In the past 2 weeks I think he is either really suffering form ear infection or Teething OR he is just coming into his own. I mean to say that he is getting pissed off when he can’t get his way. He is either throwing his head back and actually hitting his head into the wall or he is throwing himself on the floor kicking or he is just screaming. I am sure you all go through this as well but it feels like it came out of nowhere or maybe I am just tired. I try to speak to him and say things like:
1. I know you must be frustrated
2. You know that screaming in not the best way to communicate .
My newest one is ” You know we don’t do that because Mommy and you have talked about this before”. I am not sure if any of them work but after a long day of a fussy ear ache, teething and fussy toddler, I think anything is better than losing my shit. Max is also so curious and so bed time is not as smooth as it used to be. He still goes down fine but he wants to get up and down and up and down. Max also is testing boundaries because he tried to hit me today while we were playing and I said, we do not hit because that hurts people’s feelings and then he laughed and tried it again. Any suggestions or any stories that happen to you with your kid or kids?
Christy says:
It seemed like Porgie suddenly started having tantrums too. One day she was fine, the next she was a pain in the ass. Except her tantrums started around 18 or 19 months. I guess Max is advanced!
I tend to ignore Porgie when she pitches a fit. I don’t talk to her or look at her. I completely ignore her until she calms down. It works for her, but every kid is differentt.
April 7th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Kellan says:
It sounds like some of this could definitely be the age, as they do try to push boundaries and buttons and see how far they can push a situation. I know it is difficult, just keep being gentle and kind and as patient as possible - it will pass.
I hope you have a had a good weekend - Kellan
April 7th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Mrs. F says:
Ugh. I remember when my son would get so frustrated he would slam his head on the floor. I thought he was going to get brain damage it was so rough. He was probably Max’s age.
Just keep your cool.
He is testing his limits right now. This will only last another 17 years, LOL.
Totally kidding, but I do think that at each age it is a new phase and we just have to roll with the punches.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Melanie says:
It’s so hard to know becuase Max isn’t feeling well. But, Hailey started having major tantrums (they sound like Max’s) right around 15 months. Other than being consistent with her and not letting her have her way when she screams, saying things like “I know you must feel mad right now” etc- I don’t know what to do either.
April 7th, 2008 at 4:11 am
Amanda says:
All my boys did this. Callum has being doing this for a wee while now. In fact his favourits words are NO and DON’T LIKE IT !!
As for the tantrums, i go sit down put the telly on and ignore it. Very quickly, he comes running and crying and wants to sit on my knee for a cuddle.
When Callum hits me , i tell him a stern NO and then ignore him. He will usually hit me again after telling him no, but stops it quickly enough when he’s ignored.
Some days get really bad with the 4 of them, and i get a lovely thought of buying a big cage and to put them in….
he-he!!!!!!!!!!
April 7th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Amanda says:
but he is very cute in this photo!
April 7th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Lil says:
I. hits sometimes and I say “Gentle touches!” and show him how to pat instead of hitting. Then if he does it again I grab his hand and look at him in the eye and say “that hurts me. You don’t want to make mommy sad do you?” I supplement this by talking about “hurt” and “sad” when he falls and bumps himself so that maybe he’ll know hurt/sad. Like: “That hurt didn’t it? I know sweetheart, you’re hurting and sad from bumping your head. It will be okay though.” He’s starting to catch on and will pat me instead of hitting me.
He doesn’t throw temper tantrums so much as he starts to get frustrated. But when he does I vocalize what it is that he’s frustrated about. “I know. you want to stick your fingers in the electrical socket but you really can’t because it’s dangerous. But you’re so curious you really want to and it’s frustrating that you can’t. I understand. You’re frustrated. Let’s find something else you can explore that’s new.” It seems to work for us. But every baby’s different and mine’s a mellow little guy that’s easy to distract. Your sweet little Max seems like he KNOWS what he wants and can’t be dissuaded.
Both personalities are blessings of a different sort.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:59 pm