11.30.2011

My Five Minute Child

I sit here writing almost in tears and I know I only have five minutes to write this.  I am writing this in hopes that in a couple of years I can look back on this and laugh, not to whine about poor me or make anyone who isn't a Mommy yet upset.  Before I go on please KNOW that I love each and every one of my children and NEVER EVER EVER would I want things to be different, but holy CRAP this is hard!  Never did I imagine things would be this exhausting, never did I imagine that one of my children would take 89% of my time.

I love my Aaden with ALL my heart and I love his spunk and energy, but he is a five minute child.  What does that mean you ask?  NOTHING holds his attention longer than five minutes.  No movie, no toy, no art project, no box of puzzles, no helping Mommy, no dancing and singing around the house, the only thing that might last a touch longer is destruction!

Not only does nothing keep his attention he only enjoys things that are dangerous and messy.  He is not a toy kind of kid. If, yes IF I make it into the bathroom for two minutes alone I KNOW that once I turn the corner to the living room he WILL be into something.  Most recently he has learned to scale the kitchen counter and grab whatever he can.  Chapstick, food, my phone, anything he can get to.  If I make my way into the garage to do laundry he follows through the dog door and wants to help.. "A-Day do it!"  To which of course I let him, but that means it takes three times as long and the other two are inside without me even longer.  If I am cooking he will cry at my feet until I finally allow him to get a stool (out of the toy dungeon in the garage where we hide most toys these days.)  Oh and INDEPENDENT no longer can I put on his carseat buckles, shirt or socks and shoes.. "A-Day do it!"

I love love love my boy to pieces, but he is ALWAYS at my side.  I try to eat, he wants to share my plate.  I fold laundry and he helps, BUT then once the clothes are in the basket folded and I turn my back for a split second he flips the basket and uses it as a stool.  Their room is almost empty, each time he mis-uses a toy it enters the toy dungeon.  We have a baby gate on their door, but yes he can scale that too.

He has now gone four days with no nap, mostly in part to the toddler bed switcheroo we did.  Both boys were climbing out of their cribs, so to avoid the looming danger of falling we switched.  I could write a whole post about that, but I will save it until we have more days under our belt and more stories, but honestly bed time is not going all that bad.

Most of all I feel bad for the other boys who are NOT getting all the attention they should from me.  I hold Hudson, and guess what "hold A-Day for a second Mommy?"  *Sigh.  This too shall pass I know, but right now as my boy is scaling the side of my chair trying to push buttons on the laptop I have a tear in my eye and a smile.  It's a mix of emotions and I cannot wait for this phase to pass AND to have nap time back.  Noah is getting to nap in Hudson's room which is working out, but Aaden's naptime is pure destruction of the bedroom and me putting him back in bed about 50 times until finally it has been 1.5 hours and nap time is over.

I know that a lot of this destruction and craziness is coming from being overly tired, he is the kid who when he is tired acts more hyper instead of sleepy.  ANY advice you could give on my five minute child would be of great help.  The best for him is getting out and doing things, but with three little kids it's not easy to get out nor is their really anywhere we can go other than the park.

UPDATE
Both boys ASKED to go Nite-Nite and went to sleep within five minutes without a peep.  In separate rooms of course, but still I am one happy Mommy!!!!!  Hoping a lot of this craziness the last few days is from the lack of sleep.  I sure love my sweet boy, but Mama needs a tiny break every once in awhile.

3 comments:

Angelwingsbaby said...

So sorry that you are struggling.I have been through a lot of what you are going through with my oldest.But our circumstances were a bit different. I do know how it feels though. ((Hugs))Hang in there momma.

Maydelin said...

Really Really I don't know tell what to do, I`m a teacher for preschool and with kids like that is always hard!! if you think he act like that for be tired well the answer is put to sleep early, and take nap or quiet time.

For naps, use this, the kids like to know what is coming, so when he wake up, you say : today we gonna make this this this and then you go and take a nap, you do all you routine and when he finish one activity you remind to him what is coming next, that way when came the time for a nap time is not gonna be like a surprise for him and maybe that way is more easy... Then when the time for a nap came read to him a book and go out of the room, and leaver there.

for keeping busy the only thing that I recommend sign up for some sport a least for once a week, or make a list about things he have to do in the day like: watering the plants, make the bed, helping you to take care of his little brother... you tell him, he is a big brother and he have to take care of his little brother, and when you are in the computer tell him to help you, and then you give some paper and a pencil and start saying some words and he have to "write" in the paper, always say he is a great help for you...

I don't know how is gonna sound this because i`m from Venezuela, but i wanna tray to help you so, sorry for my English

Mama T said...

I don't comment much but hugs to you - it is difficult. I have your situation but opposite - three boys; a 2 year old and 6 month old twins (mine are all IVF). Have you read the book Your Two Year Old by Louise Bates Ames? It's a dated book (was published in the late 1970's I think !) but it has helped me to understand why my two year old does what he does. Also, Happiest Toddler on the Block is good. The first is pretty short and an easy read; I read a little each night before bed. The later is available electronically. Good luck mama!