On Tantrums and Toddlers...

Oh. My.
Toddlers.
Or more precisely, a certain two year old who will soon be three.
Cheeky, adorable, hilarious, unpredictable and unable to be reasoned with...

I think I rather forgot what it was like to have a tantruming three year old. Cohen wasn't big on the tantrums, thankfully. He had a couple of doozies in public places, and he was keen to be independent, but I just don't remember him being quite like his little sister. He was three and a bit when she was born, all the more reason to have tantrums I would have thought? But oh no, Emerson is the little miss of tantrums. She is redefining for me how one parents a toddler.

Windy day? Tantrum! Because I won't stop the wind.
Tries to climb book case and pulls it over. Cries from fright, then throws tantrum when we suggest she no longer climbs book case.
Walking to school? Tantrum! Because I suggest she shouldn't wear slippers to school in Summer. I tactfully decide to 'pick my battles' and allow said slippers to be worn regardless. Another tantrum on the way to school, as she no longer wants to wear the slippers. Thus, she walks barefoot, still whingeing.

Today there was a tantrum because I turned the tv off when it was time to pick up her brother from school. She refused to move, and rather perfectly imitated jelly on the floor instead. I had to carry her to the baby's pram and strap her in, while wearing Oscar in the sling, in order to pick up Cohen on time. Phew. Another tantrum from Miss almost-three about being in the pram. Then she fell asleep on the way home, so I carried her quietly upstairs. Cue another tantrum when she realised I had laid her down in her bed.

Oh my. On top of which I have had a teething baby with a runny nose and a six year old that would make a wonderful political, given his skill at argument.

My dear children. How I love them. Please pour me another glass of wine...

Sewing for toddlers

The toddler apron I made for Cohen's second birthday has proven to be one of the most successful things I have stitched for him. From imaginative dress ups, to helping me in the kitchen, it sees play most days. The neck band is elasticated and the waist strap closes with velcro, so that he can put on and take off the apron himself. Two of Cohen's friends are celebrating their third birthdays. I'm hoping that an apron of their own, and some cooking implements made for little hands, might be just as enjoyable for them. 

I sewed these up over two days with fabric from the stash while the children slept. They are gifts for boys, so I wanted something masculine for the little chefs. I used Cohen's apron as the pattern, though the original free pattern can be found here. The only problem was that the whereabouts of the velcro eluded me. I'm quite sure I did have some... I used buttons instead. Hopefully these boys also share in Cohen's fascination with buttons.

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Sometimes parenting a toddler is more difficult than I had imagined. Sometimes it is overwhelming and I feel that I am failing. At those times I tend to have a good cry, pick myself up and go back to the books (or the net) and look for a different approach to deal with the current issues. Sometimes I need to remind myself not to expect so much of my little man. Sometimes I need to find ways to turn nos into yeses. Sometimes we both need to find ways to be calm. And sometimes, just changing things up, going for a walk and meeting a neighbours cat are all we need. Then I feel like perhaps it isn't really that difficult after all.

(That cute squished up, closed eyed face in the first pic? That is how Cohen smiles for the camera.)