My McKell

In our family we don't have the 'terrible twos' we have the 'trying threes'. Our children are really fun at two, they still have cherubic faces when they get into trouble. They are easy to please and can turn any object into a play thing.

When they turn three, well...it's not so cute. McKell is three and it's been 'trying' the past four months. She throws tantrums, screams, goes through incredible dramatics, and turns the tears on when it's convenient for her. She is also incredibly tired. I'm stuck between giving in and having her take a nap and waiting it out and putting her to bed early. If she takes a nap she is MUCH more pleasant to be around, but will stay away until 10:30 pm, no matter the length of her nap or the time of day she goes down. If she doesn't take a nap - YIKES...this is what I have to deal with:or

I really try hard to be patient. I start to go crazy when she screams and throws herself on the ground or stairs and becomes completely irrational. It usually occurs between 4pm and 7pm and occurs at least a few times in the evening, most evenings. It's a pleasure to hear the tantrums when we are doing homework, piano, or reading. Most times Ellie stops what she's doing and just stares at McKell's theatrics.

Tonight was one of those nights and I was exhausted (see my earlier post) and ready for her to be cooperative and just go to bed - I had deprived her of her nap and usually she'll go right down after the bedtime routine.

Tonight she kept coming out of her room with various excuses - she needed water, she couldn't find her pacifier (yes, she still uses one and I can sleep at night, and I've already accepted the fact that all our kids will need braces), her night light was off, the list goes on. I was getting so frustrated - I just wanted to have a few moments of quiet before moving on to the next task.

The last time I heard her door open I was ready to be really firm and just lay the law down. She comes out says, "Mom, I can't go to bed. You're my best friend" I, of course, caved and let her sit on my lap for a few moments and then we went and laid down in her bed together. She and I fell asleep holding hands. Could I really say no to this brown-eyed cutie?