So the Munchkin is one week old today. Looking back on my first week as a Mom of Two, all I have to say is this: HARD. Hard, hard, hard, HARD.
Is the Munchkin running you ragged, you ask? Nope. Actually, sleep-deprivation aside, he's the easy one. It's Patoot that's been challenging. And I'm beginning to fear I'm not up to the challenge.
Mom FAIL:
Patoot is NOT adjusting well to life as a sibling. Well, in some ways she is. She LOVES her baby brother. She loves to hold him and pet his head and constantly says things like, "It's ok, baby" or "I got him, Mommy. I pick him up!" (um. that's ok, honey) or insists on pushing his stroller (with me covertly steering). So I guess I should be thankful that she is taking out her confusing feelings of jealousy and frustration on Esposo and I as opposed to the helpless newborn.
But as much as I was logically prepared for Patoot to act out, I never expected such a dramatic change in her little personality. She has gone from sweet and occasionally sassy to down-right BRATTY in a matter of 7 days. She throws things on the floor. She storms into the other room and pouts at the drop of a hat. She kicks. She screams. She throws wailing, tear-flooded tantrums over seemingly nothing. She and her Daddy seem to be constantly at odds (this especially makes me sad: she even said "I don't like you, Daddy!" last night!). I mean...dear GOD. She's 2 going on 3, not 2 going on 13!
Why is this natural acting out phase a Mom Fail, you ask? Because I have absolutely NO idea how to deal with it. In the past when Patoot acted out, I was always able to distract her and redirect her energy elsewhere without resorting to stern tones. And this was a good thing, because I actually have a hair-trigger temper and NEVER wanted to be one of those Screaming Moms. You know the ones. You hear them caterwauling from across the mall: "JACK! You get back here RIGHT NOW, young man, or I will give you something to CRY ABOUT!!!"
*shudders*
So instead of giving in to my Primal Self, I've been trying the old tactics. Logic, humor, even pleading (bad idea, btw). Nada. The only thing I can say, is that my post-partum hormones have helped me a little...I have gotten weepy in frustration a few times, and that always prompts Patoot to give me hugs and apologize for whatever new misdeed she's committed. But I can't rely on CRYING. For one, that's lame. And for another, once the hormones have settled down I won't be able to anyway because I'm not a huge crier.
So that is this week's Mom Fail.
Mom SUCCESS:
I took a shower while home alone with the Munchkin. I don't know why I consider this a huge feat, but considering I could never figure out how to do this when Patoot was a newborn I guess, for me, it is. After soliciting advice via Facebook, the obvious was presented to me. Just put the little man in his car seat or bouncy chair and plop him on the bathroom floor. Problem solved (and Mom of Newborn, cleansed).
Now if only I could get him to stop pooping every five minutes, we'd really be in business.
Anyhoo. I guess that is what Mom of Two-hood is all about. Tempering Epic Fails with small but satisfying Successes.
~ WM