I’m pretty sure the world is ending. I’m not going to talk about being sick anymore, because I’m not, but Laina is and it feels like our home has not been sick ‘free’ in months. It’s getting old. Kids are just too tiny to not be eating for days and to be throwing up all the time. I don’t like it.
Know what else I don’t like? The transition from Babyhood to Testy Kid Hood. I won’t name names, but there’s a child in my household going through this right now.
I love her.
God how I love her.
But these growing pains are not easy on me. When she was three she would grab a ball to show us how far she could throw it and we would giggle quietly as she reached back to throw the ball only to have it go straight up and land on her head. Awww…how cute.
Now? We’re knocking over lamps.
Not cute.
When she was four she said funny things and mispronounced names and sang sweet songs.
Now? She has a habit of saying “no” regardless of the question I ask because she thinks it’s funny.
Will you clean your room? Will you bring me the phone? Will you put on your coat? Do you like ice cream? Are you happy? Was Disneyland fun?
No.
The answer is no.
Always.
Easter morning we had a mini egg hunt set up in the living room for the kids. Both the girls had spotted a golden egg and both of them wanted it. Laina mustered up the energy to participate in the hunt solely because she wanted the golden egg.
Maile got it.
Laina cried.
And Maile continued to make comments for the rest of the morning, “boy I’m glad I found the golden egg…golden eggs are beautiful…you know, Junie B. Jones found a golden egg when she saw something sparkling in the grass and I found this one JUST the same way!”
Not to rub it in or anything right?
There’s a teenager in that kid of mine. I see her. At seven years old she’s seven years away from Infancy and just six years away from Full Rebellion.
I realize that first we need to walk through Testy Kid Hood and then on to The Awkward Tween Time…but that teen is in there…and she’s coming for me.
When I asked her if she would stop growing and just be my sweet little girl forever she said no.
Again.
Alison@Mama Wants This says
Awwww. She’s so sweet! Where’s that magic potion to freeze time so that they’re small and cute forever?
Jessica says
At least she is cute.
Jaimie says
These pictures are so cute…. But that sick little one looks P-O’ed
Galit Breen says
It’s all too fast, isn’t it? Just too fast.
I’m sorry about the sicks and the Nos and of course the Junie B. style golden egg mishap. I might be most sorely sorry about that one.
blythe says
Don’t stop her growing now! You’d be stuck in Testy Kid phase forever! The trick is to reverse the growth process….
Jennifer says
Oh, I’m so not looking forward to that AT ALL!!!!
Hope everyone feels better soon!
Jennifer says
You are not alone. I’ve got one of those at home too. I don’t admit it out loud where she can hear, but I’m scared.
Jen says
Its just wrong, I tell you. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Paula Kiger says
Right there with you on that, ma’am. Right there with you.
Oh! And guess what … I wrote a poem about that thanks to a Mama Kat prompt:
http://waytenmom.blogspot.com/2010/11/just-shine-mama-kat-writers-workshop.html
Hang in there …..
Making It Work Mom says
Wait I can’t stop laughing because you think you have 6 years before an all out rebellion. Um haven’t you heard kids are maturing faster these days. I say you have about 3-4 years before you want to lock her in her room and slide food under the door. *sigh* Yes I am the mother of an 11 year old daughter who has the capacity to make everyone in the house miserable for hours on end. *sigh*
misty says
SO CUTE!!!!! My daughters being teens (one is no longer a teen and one isn’t there yet, but may as well be) has been FAR MORE intense then my son’s journey through the teen years.
Christine King says
She is coming..but like the caterpillar to the butterfly it will be worth it…just keep remembering the wonderful woman who will emerge on the other side of the teen monster!
Chris
Shannon {Discipline Project} says
Girls are tough. My 6.5 yr old is going on 13. But my 12 yr old boy? Going on 7. Heh.
Hope your house is healthy soon.
Kristi says
As a mom of 3 teens…I feel your pain! lol Teens are a whole different kind of something…not sure what that something is…but that’s what they are! :)
Glad you’re all feeling better.
Tori Nelson says
The change from sweet bundle of joy to finicky bundle of opinions is scary. Thank God we have baby pictures to remind us of the World Before No :)
Vicarious Chelsea says
Boy that sucks. Good thing my kids are going to stay little and sweet and perfect forever.
Misfit Mommy says
Brace yourself.
My girl huff and puffs and stomps and sulks. And it’s getting worse.
She’s nine.
alisha says
see no way in heck would i have had only one golden egg lol maybe those teen years won’t be so bad…..just make sure you have extra golden eggs…always!!!
Crazy Me says
I have an almost 11 year old who has always been the easy, fun loving child of the house. She scares me now with her attitude and sour moods. I love her but I miss my girl. Pre-teen sucks so I can’t imagine what real teen is going to look like.
Jeanne says
oh man, my daughter is only 20 months old and I say it all the time- Someday she’s going to be a teenager and I’m in for a world of hurt. This whole post cracked me up- thanks!
liz says
See, I have the opposite problem with my 2 year old. I ask her things like, “Wanna sit on the potty like a big girl?” and she tells responds with, “No tank oo.”
kisatrtle says
My oldest is 12 and some days I want to curl up in a fetal position and hide from her. She used to hold my hand and tell me not to have any fun without her and now I can’t follow a simple story about her day because it involves too much drama.
Jen says
I can’t think about the teen years yet. I remember what I put my mom through when I was a teenager—oh boy, I’m in trouble.
Theresa says
I am working on a shrinking machine. I will get back to you when I have a working model. I have to test it on the neighbours kids first.
Theresa says
I’m working on one for my stomach too if anyone is interested…
KIr says
I’m so sorry she’s sick and so sorry that every answer is no. Even at three the twins are really testing my patience and sanity. It’s like living with little bipolar people ALL.THE.TIME. Yes/No, I want it/you got get it, I said do it/I DO IT.
I fear 7, 13 and 1`7 myself….but honestly I’m fearing tomorrow.
I hope that everyone in your house is better soon and that the rebellion is short lived. ;)
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation says
As soon as Sadie turned 4 this year, all hell broke loose. No, no, no. Kicking…screaming. No….
I fear for the teenage years.
shafeena says
Awww.. kids grow up ! fact of life :)
Arlee says
I remember testy kid years fondly now. I am right smack in the middle of Tween (12) and Teen (15)! Double Super Duper Yuck! But I have to say, every phase they go through has good and bad….and it’s almost always more good! Just make sure to write down every embarrasing thing she says and does now. That way it is available as blackmail later!