At bedtime Mae's antics increased. Sadie brought over a Go Diego Go book and I read it to the girls. They sat, staring at the book after it was over and when I said "okay I'll read it again" the words were met with big smiles. But then the story was over. Mae Bae handed it to me after I put it down, with an expectant look. When I said: "No Mae, we've got to get your pajamas on" as I scooped her up, she let out a scream and threw her book on the floor. Putting on her pajamas quickly deteriorated when she realized, after being fine with wearing Lightening McQueen PJs when I put them on, that her big sister was wearing a t-shirt with princess PJ bottoms. This was apparently a great injustice that resulted in actual, rather than fake, tears (Mae must have worn hers more recently and they must be in the dirty clothes).
I have some idea how our little monster has been created (in addition to it being "the age"). When Mae Bae sees her sister with a toy that she wants she'll let out a cry. And Sadie will run over and give her sister the toy, and laugh when she smiles at getting her way. It's great that Sadie is so good at sharing. Now if only Mae Bae could begin to learn to share her toys. It doesn't work so well with her big sister wrapped around her little finger. Maybe that's partially why Sadie's prayers are so persistent. She's ready for Mae Bae to be a big sister. This morning the first thing she told me when she woke up was that she was going to be the little sister today and that Mae Bae was the big sister. I can't help but wonder if Mae Bae's antics have something to do with that statement!
My Little Tiger problems are MY fault. I'm a new grandma and it has made me realize I am not nearly as strict with my two year old as I was with the older kids.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sweet that your older daughter is so kind to her younger sister. That good example is bound to rub off.
When one of mine is screaming about something like the fact that the PJ's with the kitty on them are in the laundry, I ignore it and let them scream. The phase passes eventually which is a good thing because the screaming really gets on my nerves.
Be glad she's screaming and not biting. ;) Our younger daughter - angelic looking though she was - would sink her teeth into her very loving, tolerant older sister's arm, leg, whatever was available. She was also a biter during breastfeeding, which forced me to wean her at 14 months, as it had become intolerable.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to get through to them at this age, though I am convinced they know EXACTLY what you are saying.
Instead of "she's touching me", we hear "he's staring at me", from our 7 month old grandson's 5 year old cousin. He can stare down anyone with his huge blue eyes, unblinking, for longer than anyone I've ever seen. Kind of freaky...
Brilliant insight, Cam. How true!
ReplyDeleteVince (2 years old) is just beginning to learn sharing. We haven't been blessed with another little one, yet, so he's forced to learn it by playing with our cats. Ha ha.
Zoey, his favorite, was trying to curl up in his blocks carrier. He didn't want to share, so he tried to scoop her out. I said, "No, Vincent, you need to share with Zoey!"
He then chased after her and placed the carrier next to her saying, "Here doe, here doe!" (I think that was his version of "Here ya go!")
Ha ha - gotta love this age.
But yeah... brilliant insight. :)
Part of it is maturity and part is personality. My 4 year old shares better than my 5 year old. Practice, practice, practice. :)
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