Saturday, December 11, 2010

You Know What They Say

I've always heard about the Terrible Twos. Then people began saying that the 3's were even harder than the 2's.
No. Way.
I did not want to believe this. How could the the 3's be more difficult than the 2's?! I did everything in my power to ignore these words.
Well, so far it's true.
The whining, the crying, the fits. Where does this come from? I thought I was fun to be around. ; )

Why can't he always be my sweet little boy? Don't even tell me it gets worse at four. I may not make it. ; )

The good news is...

This is a phase like everything in life. One day at a time.

I'm praying like never before for Zach to have a tender heart and obedient spirit.

Maybe Colson is learning about obedience by watching his big brother.

Another BIG plus is potty training went very smoothly. Yea! Must have been the M&M's and cars.


We love you, Zach! Hope this stage passes VERY quickly. No one is perfect, especially me as all my faults are shown when I'm out of sorts. ; )


I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you...

Ezekiel 36:26

29 comments:

Lara said...

I keep hearing four is fabulous. And I'm hanging onto that for dear life!!

For us, 2.5-present is all one big lump of misbehavior, whining, and fits. Where we are now, I see it improving a lot. Cade will be four in about six weeks so I'm holding out hope!

Heather said...

Katie I have a 7-year old who never had a "terrible twos" or terrible-anything-at-any-age for that matter(so far!), but then I had my 4-year old, and just when I think he can't be more difficult, he gets more difficult! Hang in there, as I always tell myself, it builds my character (although it certainly doesn't feel like it at the time!).

Unknown said...

Maybe Colson will be that easy child that makes up for the more difficult times with Zach, just know every moment is worth it & you have three very precious children :)

Jennifer said...

Ha....I have 4 kids and all I can say is 3 was much harder than 2 here, with all of them! 4? maybe a little better.....but I say by the time school starts things get better

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Awe, he is so precious!

Gottjoy! said...

I have four kids and I think there can be difficulties at any age and season. You just learn to embrace the good and pray about the bad. My oldest will be 16 and I have always heard about how terrible teenage girls can be. And yes, some days we have meltdowns, but all in all, I love being around her and I know she loves being around her family (for the most part=)).
So hang in there, Katie. This season will pass too quickly. I know you have heard that a million times=)!

ashley said...

Love you so much friend! Everyone is different - for us 3-3 1/2 was the hardest - 4 has been wonderful - let's talk when our kids are teenagers because I'm pretty sure I'll have some new drama!

Superchikk said...

I'm feelin' you, girl! The whining and tantrums seem like they are endless! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one dealing with it! One of these days, I might just have my own tantrum/meltdown and see how he responds to it. :)

The Vosslers said...

"The years fly by, but the days don't." I think that was a quote from the founder of MOPS. Love it. Each child, each phase and stage brings its own challenges and God guides and grows each one through all of it.

J said...

nah, jack got easier after 3. i always heard that 3 was harder, but i didn't find that necessarily true. i think there's hard stuff to every age. now he's almost 4, and it seems much easier. it gets better!!

Shelly, OTA in training said...

I think it does get better. Our situation was different b/c Kaleigh went from only child to sister of three in a short amount of time, but taking that into account, her behavior did improve. The key is staying on top of the negative behavior & not letting it continue (not that I do that, which is why my kids are out of control - ha!)

Cora Bouch said...

Hi Katie,

I don't think I have ever commented before but I love reading your blog! I enjoy hearing about your precious family. You are a great mom and have a sweet spirit. I would like you to know I am so sorry for your loss of your precious baby girl Reese. I have prayed for you many times. You have made me a better mom by trying not to take my children for granted and to remember each day is a gift. Thank you.
I have three little boys ages 7, 5 and 1.
Four is WONDERFUL !! That is if you put in the training during the second and third year. :) And five is even better! Our second born is pretty strong-willed, so we had some very rough patches during the twos and threes but I am very happy to say he is our most obedient, sweet -spirited, happy little five year old. Putting in all that time consuming hard work in training/disciplining him was so worth it. He is such a joy to be with!

p.s. I will say I have friends who also have strong-willed children and they let a lot of things "go" hoping they would "just out grow it". However they are still dealing with lots of defiance and attitudes of the heart ( at 7 yrs. old) .


Oh yeah one more little tidbit.. for whining we use "whiny juice" ( vinegar) in their mouth. Only a tiny bit like 1/4 of a tsp. but boy does it work! We use the scripture " Do all things without grumbling or complaining" . We tell them vinegar does not taste good on their tongue and the whining does not sound good to our ears.

Cora

The B's said...

Knock on Wood...Emma has been four for a month and so far, I think they are better! I hope I don't jinx it! :) Everything up until this point was horrible, we still have "those" moments but overall, I think it is better.

Linds said...

be sure to take notes so you can help me when I hit the same phase. I am sure it will be worse in my house :(

Josh and Kate said...

Peyton's hardest year was 2.5-3.5 yrs (I have some crazy stories on that boy!), 4 was good and 5 is now wonderful!! Parker was awesome until he turned 3! Ugh. Sounds like we are going through this together right now!! We just need them to get to 4 and we will have our sweet boys back. :) Hang in there. Miss you sweet girl. Hope to see you soon.

Sophie said...

I hate to tell you this, nothing is like the terrible teenage years.
Just trying to prepare you

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

I am your newest follower. So good to 'meet' you. You've got a beautiful family. I look forward to reading more from you soon.

Whenever you get a free moment I would love if you came by for a visit too.

Thanks so much,
Marie
The Things We Find Inside

belle said...

the terrible 2's with my strong willed first born lasted from 15 months to 4 years! hahaha but we "fought the good fight" and he's been a precious and diligent child ever since. (he's nearly 12 now.) strong wills make good leaders... that's why God created chocolate and starbucks, my friend! lol

seriously love the whiny juice idea!

an amish mommy once told me that if you handle the toddler years right, the teenage years are a blessing. i think she's right... i really knuckled down and now that i'm toddler -less, i have wonderful children that are helpful, thoughtful, and generous.... still kids (oh believe me! still kids! i actually have footprints on my ceiling?!?!?!?!!?) and more than that, they love Jesus with all their hearts.... hang in there.... hang in there.... days will get tough with every age but win the decisive battle now and tomorrow WILL be better.

Alison said...

3 is harder than 2, but there is good news. They get even sweeter with 4 and 5. :)

Summer said...

This is so funny Katie! When Kelcee was three I was like I think she hit the terrible twos late LOL because the twos were a breeze and the 3's oh my butterflies it was crazy LOL....she has only been 4 for 2 mths so so far so good I am hoping it is the fabulous fours LOL

he is a cutie :0)

xoxo
Sums

Holly said...

I need to be praying more for my kids' hearts too! I get caught up in everyday things, bless you for reminding me!
So proud of Zach potty-training-anything you have to bribe them with is worth it! : ) heehee

Jen said...

Hi Katie,
You might enjoy a book that I'm enjoying alot...Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Easy read with specific Scripture and prayers at the end of each chapter. I find myself turning to them alot as I enounter new concerns with my kids. Instead of trying to mold a stubborn spirit or force a timid spirit to be brave, I'm instead going to the Word with my concerns and letting God do the heavy lifting. It's a great reminder, too, of all the promises that we have in Him and that puts a much brighter outlook on the day :-)

Also, do I see an iPad there? We got one for us last spring but it's quickly become used by the kids. We've found that it's a great motivation for our one son in particular after school. He hasn't had a tough day since we started using it for after-school reward time.

Have a blessed week ahead!
Love,
Jen

Brittany said...

Girl,
My little one turned 3 in August and it's have been a struggle!!!!!! OH my!

Glad we can relate!!!

aka-mama said...

my son turns four this month...i keep saying to myself "i hope this is just a phase!" good to hear that your sweet looking boy has another side & i am not alone!

Callisters said...

Love your blog and love your cute boys. If it makes you feel better my Doctor says that he believes the odds are harder then the evens. I do have to say for me that has been true! Thanks goodness that 3 out of 4 of my kids are on even numbers, hehe!!!

MelissaNDanny Phillips said...

Hi Katie,

I have been following you for quite some time but never commented. Fours do start to get better or by then you become better at finding little attitide as a character builde for all. Our lil man just turned four thus year and instead of attitide we are navigating well thought out logical questions. Everything that we wish was in parenting books but isn't because I don't think anyone is brave enough to write about it. See Z car collection cracked me up bc that is how we potty trained Braedon. In the end I think we should of bought stock, but it worked. Hang in there! One day at a time! Melissa in Washington

jen said...

Hello,

I have enjoyed your blog for some time now. Your boys are just beautiful!
I had to laugh when I read this post because all four of my children were great at two and I was surprised when people talked of the "terrible twos."
Well, three soon came and knocked me off my feet. Ha!
The good news is it does not last forever and there are so many wonderful things to appreciate from three year olds. My baby is now three and I just want to hold him all the time because I know how fast they grow.
Take care and have a wonderful Holiday!

 The Morris Family said...

i love age three, (as Joel was 3) still needy yet able to communicate so well!!

Just enjoy it all.....

Cindy

Sarah said...

Oh, don't tell me that. 2 is about to send me over the edge. I just never know which "side" of her I'm going to see: she goes from one extreme to the next. What's up with that? They are so stinking sweet and loving all over you one minute and then...poof!...it's like a switch goes off!
I love her and my babies, but there are moments in my day when I just want to crawl under the covers and hide from them all for a few minutes (or hours!!)!
Hugs,
sarah

 
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