My sister is almost 7 years younger than me and an epileptic.
She used to get petit mal seizures that were only diagnosed in her early teens. To say she was a difficult toddler would be the grandest of understatements. She was fucking diabolical. Wouldn’t wear shoes, wouldn’t eat food, wouldn’t sit, stand or do anything you asked her to. We weren’t allowed to touch her hair. She would make up her mind and change it 5 times in 30 seconds. Cry, scream, tantrums, you name it, it was crazy. Refused to sleep in a room by herself (incidentally, to this day she is unable to be alone at home) There’s a long list of stuff that used to drive me completely insane.
So, looking back and knowing what we know how it obviously makes sense, but back then, it was just very confusing to me as a sibling and I, quite frankly, blamed my folks for her bad behaviour and their inability to control her. And it had quite an impact on how I parent, hence the no-drama policy. I can’t stand drama, I think I had enough to last me a lifetime.
So imagine my horror when Mignon started with fussing about food, being unable to make up her mind and the latest: the morning tantrum. She wakes up miserable and impossible and by the time we leave the house I feel like a cloth that has been wrung out by Chuck Norris. This morning the world came to an end because she wanted to sit on my chair and Isabel was there first. Part of me feels very manipulated and I mostly prefer to hide and let hubby deal with it seeing as how he is the saint in this house.
I just don’t know if I can raise my sister. I mean, I was there the first time, wasn’t I?
Or is this normal behaviour for a 2yr old girl and I’m just being a right old cow?
2 yr olds are often called the early teenagers – they have to come to grips with not getting everything they ask for! Tantrums are all part of that package I am afraid. And it goes on until 3-4yrs when they start realising tantrums do not work – if you just keep ignoring it and not give in that is! Then the manipulation starts, LOL.
Perfectly normal for a 2 year old.I have a remedy that I used and worked a treat.People freak when they hear it but it worked. When they turn two their metabolism changes and their blood sugar is low first thing in the morning. The moment she wakes up,give her something sugary.
BTW, this tip came from my GP who had 5 kids.
Wow, makes sense, will give it a bash!
‘rolls eyes’ And there’s 2 of them!
AND most importantly stay away from sugar and green party cooldrink in the afternoon (panado had the same effect with LWP)! We had a huge problem with tantrums after school in the afternoons – then found out that they are sent home with very strong green party cooldrink in their bottles. So we organised for water in the afternoon – problem solved. When they are really tired the extra sugar irritates them like you would not believe – she was 4 already and tantrums died down quite dramatically before this green monster juice – now they just happen say once a month, but only when she is really tired!
My goodness, I have to confess, not only do I hate drama, but I’m also anal about sugar and drinks, they have never had Coke. EVER. Wed don’t keep gassy drinks (except tonic water) in the house even. And my son is pretty much intolerant to everything, so we are very careful! Thanks so much for your comments and suggestions, keep them coming!
I used apricot jam. No funny chemicals there.Let me know if it works.
Also operating a no-coke/soda policy, but we do allow red grapetizer, which is probably not so good.
good luck, lol
Sorry but I’m not so sure your sister’s behaviour as a toddler was because of her epilepsy if she was only diagnosed in her teens. My middle sister is also epileptic and she had her first seizures and was diagnosed at 18 months (I was 3 and a half.) She got away with a lot of things because everyone was scared that if she got upset she would have a fit (mainly petit mals but some grand mals too). I think Mignon is just being a normal 2 year-old non-morning person. I’ll be interested to see if the sugary thing first thing helps. I know D is impossible in the morning until he’s had his breakfast which is why it’s the very first thing he does in the morning. Sterkte!
Sjoe. Sounds intense. I guess our past always changes how we do things.
OMW…she sounds like a gorgeous full blown 2 year old…..shame and she also (in her head) is constantly competing with her sibling twin.
Hugs and breathe……try not to overreact to all the tantrums and fussiness…..just fuels the fury.
Hmmm, sounds like typical 2 year old behaviour! Connor is just as impossible when he wakes up! Hubby says at least he’s consistent – wakes up miserable and carries on until he goes to sleep at night 🙁 Some days it really feels like that!
Shoes are our big thing – he wants shoes, he doesn’t want shoes. Then he wants THOSE shoes, not the other ones. Put them on, and nope, they’re not right. Takes 10-15 minutes some days! BUT, I am going to try the sugar thing! He woke up this morning and asked for a sucker! Tomorrow he will get one 🙂 At 6am. Mind you, he drinks hot chocolate first thing in the morning, and that has sugar in it…
Maybe I just like peace & quiet, so if he wants a sweetie for breakfast, he will get one 🙂
Sending loads of hugs!! xx
She’s definitely full of energy. 2 year olds have minds of their own and they don’t mind expressing it. Good luck.
I think it’s so important that you are conscious of this, so you don’t subconsciously allow the past to influence you. It is totally normal stuff.
Thank you Adele, as always, you are the voice of reason!
Thank you, I’m just used to it I guess 🙂
And I accept every single one of them, thank you!
I hear the shoe story and cringe. You need a medal.
Thank you and yes, I try not to let it fuel the fury.
Absolutely, we are our past, even though we try to accept it, deal with it and not be those mistakes 🙂
pssst, we sometimes allow sparkling water, but only the ones without all the crappy stuff. We do the best we can!
Cool, thanks!
Eish – the non-morning little people can be diabolical! Wish I could drink at 6 am some mornings!
Sigh. If only. Here the Boeing only goes over at 10h00 🙂
Tash went through a stage like this when she was 2. Perfectly normal. Ignore the tantrums, feed her brekkie and take caffeine intravenously.
Oh and be grateful Isabel hasn’t caught onto it yet. Imagine having to deal with two of them at the same time.
Thanks. I think 🙂