Mommy here. You know... the one that tells you "no" all day long; the one behind the camera who begs for you to smile; the one that reads you stories in goofy voices; the one who cleans up all of your messes; the one who wipes your... well, you get the idea. There's something on my mind but since you can't understand my feelings (it's your world and I just live in it), I thought it would be a good idea to pretend like you could. It's therapy for me. It's like having an imaginary friend. You know... like you talking to Okie and Okie never actually talking back. It's kind-of nice, right?
Anywho.... I have to say that you've been very challenging lately. Like, more challenging than my FI480 Sr. level Finance course in college. Your poor baby sister gets the grunt of the little green eyed monster that rears its nasty head around 2ish every afternoon when you SHOULD be napping. If there's anything that your sister has in her possession whether it be a cool toy or a pickle (which you despise by the way), you want it and will happily swipe it out of her hands the moment it gets there. I'd be lying if I said that you aren't always like this with your sister... it's just very monsterish/aggressive at that time of the day. Oh, and for the record, if I hear you say "MINE!" too many more times, I might just go off the deep end.
Then there are the meltdowns. You threw two of them the other day at Target... one in the store when I told you I wouldn't buy you a pair of shoes that didn't fit. Then another out in the parking lot where you fell to your feet and screamed when I wouldn't give you your "bwicel." Yep... still don't know what that is and still wish I did. These meltdowns are of the extraordinary kind. It's like you're one of those dolls that you push a button and it collapses. Once you get upset, you collapse on to the ground and scream and cry. Not cool when I already have a baby to hold who weighs almost as much as you do... even less cool when that baby has poo poo in her pants.
Oh, and then there's the early introduction of sassing. Unfortunately,"Addy with the Attitude" isn't just a play on words. "Mommy- get that for me NOW!!!" "Daddy- I don't want that RIGHT NOW!" "Ella- that's MINE NOW!" When the sentence ends with "NOW," I know you really mean business. It's like a go to time-out for free card. I really hope it's just an impulsive plea for attention. It does typically go hand in hand with the jealousy issue.
I'm sure it's just a phase. (Translation: I hope it's just a phase.) My books and e-mail alerts tell me you're at the prime age and probably going through a growth spurt. What I need to remind myself... often... is that what you're doing isn't personal. When you're screaming at me or embarrassing us with fits you throw at stores, I cannot take it personally. I have to look at the issue objectively to find the best solution for disciplining bad behavior. But girl- let me tell ya- it's HARD sometimes... especially when they are occurring simultaneously.
You see... I'm not a perfect mommy either. But I will continue to work on punishing you only out of love and not out of anger. Because even though you can be a handful, you are a sweet blessing. And even though we look forward to a time when jealousy, meltdowns and sassing is gone, we look forward even more to watching you develop into a special young lady with a lot of positive, beautiful characteristics... who will love and appreciate her mother even more for all of those rough phases now and when we hit the teenage years. (God help me.)
Love,
Mommy
