So I posted the other day on Emma’s little attitude and it’s happened a few times since then. Even that night she said something and Heather was there and she was like, “Oh, Emma, you’re in trouble!” Tonight it happened again when we were at Wal-Mart. I agreed to buy them dresses since it is getting warmer and they need some summer clothes. Emma fought with me about getting a Hannah Montana outfit, buying a belt and not buying a dress. Lexi had already picked out a dress and jammies and I found some H.M. pajamas for Emma but then she would not pick out a dress. Between all the attitude and nasty looks, I finally said enough was enough and said she wasn’t getting a dress and stuck with it and left without buying her a dress. She continued with the bad look on her face and had her arms crossed and head down pouting in the buggy while we checked out and then was not happy when I wouldn’t stop at Walgreens for chewing gum like I told her we might. She didn’t cry which she normally would if I had upset her. I think she was just mad but she knew I was serious about the attitude so she was silent the whole way home. Her face finally relaxed a bit as I watched in the rearview mirror. I planned to actually take her to Walgreens if she perked up and let go of the attitude but she actually fell asleep on the way and has been asleep since we got home at 7:30. That is REALLY not like her so I know she was tired so that could have compounded the problem tonight but I can also tell that in general she’s going through “a thing”. Not sure why or where she’s getting it from but I know I don’t like it.
I had the same problem with my son this week. He is almost 5. I actually had to put him to bed at 7:10 (without eating) because he was pitching such a fit at dinner. He fell right to sleep. I think he might be having a growth spurt and that he is needing some extra sleep. When he gets tired, he just doesn’t know what to do with himself and it comes out as a “bad attitude”.
I really felt bad the other night when he did that; like I was the bad guy, but I think they just have to learn how to express their emotions appropriately whether they are hungry or tired or whatever. Hopefully this just comes with time and maturity. (My maturity or my children’s, I don’t know.)
Have you read Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp? Some of the content is for older children, but some of it is really good stuff for this age too.
This parenting stuff ain’t for whimps.
kardel’s last blog post..100 things about me