I’m Mad

Journaling Reads:
Two-year-olds are famous for their tantrums and lack of patience, and
you’re no exception. You have such a predictable pattern that I can
almost time you. Here are the steps we go through multiple times a day:

• You want something.

• I tell you that you can’t have it.

• You repeat your ask, insisting as if I didn’t understand what you were
saying and that must be why I am refusing you.

• I tell you that I heard you but that’s something you can’t have.

• You simultaneously stomp your foot and say, “I’m MAD!”

• I tell you not to be mad and try to explain to you why you can’t have
it. When I can see that won’t work, I try to steer you in a different
direction.

• You let your body go limp and start throwing the books off the table,
or hit me.

• Now I am angry and I give you a serious look to indicate what you did
was not the right way to handle your feelings.

• You walk to a convenient wall, lean your head away from me, and start
crying.

• I keep talking to you softly and trying to redirect your attention.

• Finally, you give up and come to give me a hug. Within seconds, we’re
laughing.

We laugh, giggle, and forget all about it. At least until the next time
you find something you can’t have.

My son, I know it’s frustrating to not be able to have everything you
want and I know it’s annoying to not be express yourself clearly, but I
promise it will get better with time. I love you very much and I wish
you were a bit more patient and got a little less mad. While your
routine is so predictable and almost funny at this point, it still
breaks my heart a little each time I see those tears come flooding down.