This is our story....of love, life, and adoption

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Conclusion....

So we've come to the conclusion that we suck as parents...
...and Claire must just laugh at us behind our backs...
Claire has been giving us a really hard time lately. Not wanting to sleep, or take a nap, or listen...AT ALL. Stubborn is an understatement. We've tried really hard to be patient and consistent. It just doesn't seem to be working. See that look on her face..we get that often. And we swear that there are times that in her own little toddler babble..she is cursing us.
Fast forward to today. The GI bug has run rampant in our house. We were both exhausted and needed some help. So we asked our Mom to watch Claire today so I could go back to work and Jon could catch up on some sleep.
Well when I got home Claire hadn't had a nap(despite getting up at 0530), yet Jon said he never heard my Mom or Claire all day. Claire was NOT whiney. Went down for a nap with narey a whine and my Mom said she was great all day. This has also happened when Jon's Mom watched her. "oh she was great, never cried, never fussed" We've heard this before. We're not sure what the heck we're doing wrong. She usually wakes up with us, does something wrong and is crying w/in 10 minutes. Seriously. So we've come to the conclusion that we pretty much must suck at being parents.

12 comments:

The Family K. said...

Believe me, it's not you. It's the age. Toddlerhood can be such a trying phase. I'm sure you're rocking the whole parenting thing. Don't lose heart.

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

awww :( HUGS. One thing I can tell you is Taiwan babies are STUBBORN! At least at my house! Please don't feel alone. Noah throws the worst fits, but others on the "outside" are like, you are kidding he is so sweet and good! LOL When he wants to be :) Praying things get better :)

hugs
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

alli said...

ann-
this is PERFECTLY normal. frustrating as all get out, but normal. continue the consistency -- as exhausting as it is (believe me i UNDERSTAND)! it WILL pay off and it is better to do it now than later.

allison

Annie said...

Ann,
I'm sure you and Jon aren't horrible parents. Kids are often act different for people other than their parents. Don't worry- she'll outgrow it.

Annie said...

Ann,
I'm sure you and Jon aren't horrible parents. Kids are often act different for people other than their parents. Don't worry- she'll outgrow it.

Annie said...

Ann,
I'm sure you and Jon aren't horrible parents. Kids are often act different for people other than their parents. Don't worry- she'll outgrow it.

Precious Wonders and Little Monkeys said...

Yeah, you suck. ;0) Totally kidding! Girl, think of it this way: you are lucky enough that she feels comfortable enough to be able to un-wind from the day and be her natural self in your presence. She is just letting her hair down around you and you are awesome parents that just haven't realized that she is doing this because of your awesomeness! You win the whine because you understand the whine... you and only you two are her heroes. I am 100% sure that you ROCK the parent thing. She is testing your boundaries because she feels absolutely secure in them (I know it sounds backwards but trust me... they do this and then play on your guilt). Many hugs from one parent who thought she sucked to another. ;0) Sara

BabyBain said...

Mary is in the same phrase. Toddlerhood is so much fun! Hang in there. You are great parents!

Erin Ly said...

HaHa! It really is the age, Ann. I think some toddlers just have a harder time of it than others. Welcome to the terrible twos a little earlier. Hate to tell you, the 3's are even worse! That face isn't anything compared to the looks I can get from Kira! And she rolls her eyes at me, too! Kira's close to 4 now and starting to be more cooperative and less irritable. I think there's light at the end of the tunnel. It DOES make you feel LOONEY when they behave so PERFECTLY for other people, doesn't it! You're not crazy, though. I definitely believe it. One think we've found is that Kira behaves better for us at times when she's with one of us rather than both of us. If both Mommy AND Daddy are "ganging up" on managing her behavior, she's more likely to rebel and the control issues come out. Letting go of the things that aren't big issues and letting Claire have control of as much as possible might help. Just some things I've learned. I haven't posted here in a long time but I do check in every once in awhile on your parenthood journey and your daughter. You're doing great and you have a great little girl.

Sherry said...

You sucky parents... KIDDING! Kobi's the same way! Trust me your parenting right. The kids only bad in front of you. It'd be much worse if our little people acted crazy non stop in front of the rest of the world. LOL! Claire knows how to behave with grandma/ public so you guys are doing great:)

Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

Don't let the 'terrible 2's' fool you. It keeps on going and we're almost into the 5's.

They ALWAYS do better for someone they are not in a routine with. IT's their M.O. SO everyone looks at you and asks, what's wrong with you. She's wonderful! It's a plot, I tell you.

Jan

R... said...

Monkeys is right - you should feel good that you are such awesome parents she knows that your love is unconditional and she can give you the worst of her emotions and you will still love her. Doesn't that make you feel better? Still, I'd kind of prefer they find another way to let us know how much they appreciate us, right? ;-)

R...