Fits

One parenting resource I use called pre-toddler times age 12 to 15 months and related that I could expect "mini fits" in this time.  Right on!  I didn't realize that when Daniel was throwing his head back and resisting car seat buckling or having a short fit about not being able to stand in the front seat of his dad's truck and play with the wheel that it was a "mini fit".

They were short, loud, and easy to distract away from.

For the past week, DHH has started a different type of fit as a 17 month old.  It is a fit of bitter disappointment.  It is arched back, limp body, eyes closed, wailing.  And they are totally ridiculous. He looks hilarious and usually his dad can't keep a straight face.  We have to excuse ourselves a lot when we tell him to go to his room to cry.

We're talking out of control, red face, lashing around on the floor, doing headstands and then toddling around with his head on the floor, bottom in the air.  Its really funny to look at, and I should probably photograph it.  He will probably learn how to do a somersault from these shenanigans, so at least there is that to entertain us!

Two nights ago it was the salad spinner.  He HAD to have it.  Every time we opened the refrigerator door, he lunged for it and giggled.  The problem with this is that he cannot actually do it by himself because his arm strength cannot push the mechanism.  So he tries and tries and gets frustrated, then brings part of the object to one of us.  He also doesn't like for us to show him how to do things or to quit doing things until he is ready for us.  So when I took the salad spinner away, he had a melt down.  MELT DOWN. The salad spinner will not be used for quite sometime - our lettuce will not be totally dry I guess- but out of sight, out of mind, I hope!


Last night, he wanted to bat under his dresser and mess with the wireless router for our laptop.  I do think he was just being curious, since he had never noticed this before.  But after we explained what it was and that it was a No and offered a suitable distraction, he started his fit.  This one lasted twenty minutes.  He would look at us and start to edge towards his room.  Then he would dart off.  We'd say, "Ah-ah! No playing with that in your room! We said no!" We knew he was listening and understanding because as soon as we said "no" he'd flop to the floor on his knees, lay on his belly, and start to wail.  This happened a few times.  He only went so far as to his room once, and he got some daddy-discipline then.  We decided it was bed time, though it was before 6:30 PM.

We've noticed that if he didn't nap well or its been more than four hours since his last nap, he is super moody. I think if we can keep him rested, resist giving into his demands and be consistent on rules, we'll nip this fit thing.

We hope.

Its a lot way until he is is two, when things are "supposed" to be normally terrible.

Lots of New Fun Toys... But...

He insists on playing with the salad spinner.  Sheesh!!!  Its to the point that he throws a tempertantrum if he sees it in the fridge, but I don't get it out for him to inspect or take apart.

Crying Fit.

Daniel is a good natured child.  However, he does not hide his disappointment!  He is especially sad when we do not let him go and play "pretend driving" in Dad's truck after he gets home from work.

In this case, taking no for an answer was incredibly difficult.