Terrible Threes
>> Sunday, October 18, 2009
"How old is she?," the lady asked
"Three," I replied.
"It's good. She's out of that terrible twos."
"Oh, no! She's just starting...
It was a hot Saturday afternoon. We cooled off inside Red Ribbons Bake Shop as lunchtime ticked in our stomachs. Hubby walked towards the cashier; Sophia stood by the cakes; and I sat by the glass window . . . and wondered... Where did "terrible twos" come from?
I don't remember having real problems with her when she was age 2. She played very actively then but never terrible. She was just a nice little angel who occasionally burst out with genuine laughter. It was loud but not L-O-U-D enough to overpower our noisy A/C.
The term, terrible twos, was coined in 1800's by an alcoholic ex-cowboy postmaster who couldn’t hold down a wife and a child. This is according to a blog by momblognetwork and/or badmommymoments. All the other mommy blogs I hovered believe terrible twos is a myth. Same with me. Sure enough, it came from the mouth of someone who simply misunderstands a child. And I agree with you, Adam. Raising a small child "filled with excrement and urine and vomit" is indeed terrible. Talk about potty train when a couldn't count how many times I wiped our floor with Lysol. Then again, if twos are terrible, what are 3-year olds? Parentdish and I both ask.
On the corner where I sat, my ears curled as Sophia jumped and shouted. She was all excited about those butterfly decors. Then she turned and sang ABC's on the top of her voice like she's the only one who knew it. Some people were sheepishly grinning as we met eye to eye. I was grinning, too. Soft-spoken hubby was a bit embarrassed; but he knew very well it was a normal on-going thing. What can we do? Hushing her has proven useless.
Was that terrible? No. But this is...
At a children's birthday party, she slapped her cousin on the face because she couldn't borrow her toy. At her nanny's, she choked a playmate just because... At home, she oftentimes hits me when she can't get what she wants then refuses to get timed-out. When accidentally hurt, she hits back and/or exclaims, "Muh-mmeee, no hurrr-tinggg Pee-yahh!!!" (Yes, with those stressed syllables.) Just recently, during Sunday mass, she sniffed and said, "Mommy, smell! Smell, mommy, smell!!!," non-stop and continuously sniffing. Mortified, I tried to quiet her 'cause perfume girl was just on my left.
The good thing though is that it's not out of control. Her hitting and choking is very light and not dangerous. She thinks it's part of the play, I guess. She knows that I (and any adult) am over her. At this stage, the so-called formative year, we were sort of able to successfully train her with good stuff... She hangs her jacket when we get home and puts away her shoes. 
She knows her hands need to be washed before and after meals. If I forget, she reminds me. She goes to me when her nose needs some wiping. If she has a box of tissue nearby, she'll pull one out. These, we're proud of . . . except some occasional annoying moments that are hard to manage - the singing, the loud talking, the endless hellos and byes...
Back at Red Ribbons, Sophia playfully sang and walked around. When, at last, our food was served, I was ready to fill her empty mouth like we do with a sippy cup during mass. (So then why didn't I bring two last Sunday?)
Children's Song (Instrumental) by John Patrick McKenna
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she's so cute..
You have a beautiful daughter. I agree though, the terrible twos also goes into the threes and fours sometimes. Lol. It's just a phase of a few years where kids don't know any better and just do or say what comes to their mind. It can be frustrating...but endearing sometimes too.
Hmmm... its really different for my boys.
Never terrible two
Not even terrible three
But my elder one definitely gave me 'Frustrating Four' 2 years back.
My boys' terrible twos extended to terrible fours. I'm just glad I'm over that phase but it's a different ballgame now that they are teenagers.
Your daughter is so pretty. She has such expressive eyes.
Too funny! She is precious. My pediatrician once told me that children stay in their terrible twos until the age of 18 when they are fit to live with they are living with someone else. Hang in there, this too shall pass.
Thank you for poppin' in and leaving a sweet comment. Ya'll have the best day!!!
the terrible twos are what make me hesitant in having kids, I know that thats a silly thing to be afraid of , since kids are wonderful. but it does spark fear in me.... lol. I know I will have children, just I'm not ready for that now lol. I still love the silence too much
You are so right! We all say that all the time. The hard thing with 18 months - 2 is they don't understand or can't express themselves so there can be a lot of tears but it gets worse--then better. She is presh!
xoxo
Sc
My mom keeps kids for a living. She's got one that was terrible in his twos, his threes and his fours. lol
I thought I was in the clear when my kids breezed through the two's without any terrible part. Oh no, it was like a switch went off once they turned 3.This too will pass.
We had more terrible threes than twos! I know what you mean. :)
What a darling little face!
http://mamaplaysmozart.blogspot.com
Oh my I am not alone! I am currently having trouble with my 3 year old daughter, Darlene. She was always an active girl, jumps up and down the sofa, running around without looking where she'll go, crawling under every chair and desks! but I can manage that, but her "katigasan ng ulo" is what I find it hard to manage. she's misbehaving too in public places. she's friendly,but sometimes too friendly. she hits, she kicks, she pushes, esp to her younger sister. my husband and i thought that we are really doing some thing wrong here that make her act that way. i am trying not to look and saying No at every thing she's doing. keep reminding myself that she's still young and my baby. :)
Wow its good you have Red Ribbon Bakeshop there! :) God bless!
LOL. my niece started her terrible two at terrible one and onward.... : )
aw she's so precious! i used to babysit my tennis coach's kids. his kids were pretty well behaved (then 2, and 4) although once the 2 yr old turned 4, he became quite a handful haha
What a cutie you have! Can't get over those eyes. I also love Disney Channel movies. :)
The dude is 15 months and already well on his way to the terribles. Ah ha. Good thing he's so darn cute. : )
Oh I can't stand 'perfume girl' !
She smell like poopy ! ;-)
Remember Pia, make sure mommy
puts grape juice in your sippy cup
during mass !!
Sippy Cup Hugs !!
Unkie ! ;-)
I had no idea of the history behind the 'terrible twos'. Interesting! I don't know of any stage worse than that period between 12 and 16. I was not sure I'd make it out w/the first kid and I'm getting by by the skin of my teeth with the second. The third one might do me in. :)
I love that first photo, she's adorable!