Terrible Twos

Is it true that all kids will go through the ‘terrible twos’ (TT) phase? Well at least for my 2 gals. For both Alycia and Sherilyn, the symptoms slowly started to appear a few months shy of their 2nd birthdays. Sherilyn is now 2 yrs 2 mths and is at the peak of the TT phase, though she’s not as teruk case as Alycia. I had a real hard time when Alycia was 2 yrs old. Here are some of Sherilyn’s TT ‘symptoms’ :

Super rebellious and disobedient. When talked to nicely, will not listen. Will only listen when I flash out the cane.

Super vain-pot. Loves to choose her own clothes each time she’s being changed. Refuses to wear anything that mommy or maid have chosen for her. A few nights ago, she insisted in wearing her favourite sleeveless dress to sleep. She cried and kicked till she almost puked when my maid put on her pyjamas for her. Thankfully, daddy came home in the nick of time to play hide-and-seek with her to placate her, otherwise my maid and I gotta clean up puke again.

Very manipulative. If she can’t get what she wishes for, will cry, kick and roll on the floor till she vomits. When distraction doesn’t work on her, I normally ignore her and let her cry her eyes out. Normally after a 15 – 20 mins tantrum outburst, she will ‘self heal’ and be herself again, laughing and playing with her sister.

Likes to whine for no reason. Sounds of whinning from my gals drive me bonkers.

Refuses to sit still when I read to her. She used to love me reading to her. She’s more of a Glenn Doman baby than Alycia but lately, displayed very little interest in reading or looking at my flashcards. So I reduce the frequency of these reading sessions and let her enjoy her TT phase. I know she will mellow down when she’s nearing 3 yo, just like Alycia.

So how do you handle a kid with a TT behaviour?

Patience, power of distraction and some humour…. these are the virtues to subdue a kid with TT behaviour.

Do I have them? Yes, when I’m in a good mood.

That’s why everyday, I pray to God to bless me with tons of patience, tolerance and wisdom to be a better mom. I hope God answers my prayer.

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How Alycia Finally Recognizes Her Alphabet and Numbers

I have been teaching Alycia to recognize her alphabet and numbers since early last year. As she is the type who can’t sit still when I teach her, I bought numerous educational VCDs for her to watch. These VCDs only helped a little and she still occasionally got her alphabet and numbers all mixed up. When it comes to recognizing numbers, no matter how many times I had shown her the number on the flash cards, she still could not recognize them. Each time I showed her the flash cards, she displayed little or no interest at all, which made me really geram. One day, I decided to stick and hang the alphabet and numbers flash cards everywhere in the house and bedroom so that I can point the cards to her throughout the day. She found this fun and challenging. Within weeks, Alycia finally recognizes the numbers 1 through 10. This is how I made the learning fun :

Me : Alycia, what letter is this? (as I point to the flash card with the letter ‘A’ stuck on the wall)
Aly : Big ‘A’
Me : Good job. Alycia is so clever.

I then point to another flash card stuck on the door.

Me : Alycia, what number is this (as I point to the number 9 on the door)?
Aly : Number 9
Me : Very good. If you turn number 9 upside down, it becomes number 6. Alycia is so clever. Mummy is so proud of you.

I then give her a hug and wah…. Aly feels so happy and proud of her achievement. Kids…. they really love praises, words of encouragement and hugs and I think that’s the best motivation a mother can ever give.

Alycia can now recognize all the letters of the alphabet (capital and small) and numbers 1-10. She can also write a few letters, numbers, draw shapes and ‘stick people’. I am so proud of her.

No. of times viewed = 228

Stickers craze

Alycia and Sherilyn are crazy over stickers. They will stick their stickers everywhere…. on their daddy’s bare belly, their faces, their bodies, on the walls, on our bed, you name it they’ll stick them there. What motivates Alycia to attend her Sunday School class is also stickers because at the end of the class, the teacher will reward the kids with stickers.

Last nite, DH bought some cheap cheap but cute cute Winnie The Pooh stickers from the pasar malam. I should have stopped him from buying these stickers coz after their stickers craze frenzy, my maid and I spent half an hour peeling off these stickers from their clothes, from the wall and floor and had to wipe the floor with wet wipes whilst DH happily dozed off on the sofa. Seeing the gals happy makes DH happier. What to do….. be happy also lor. Sherilyn was so happy that early this morning, I heard her giggling in her sleep/dream… aawwww….. that was just so cute. She has a tendency of giggling in her sleep all the time.

No. of times viewed = 192

HEALTH FREAK MOMMY