Maybe I’m bring dramatic, but I don’t really care at this point. Parenting is h.a.r.d. These past few weeks have been mentally and physically draining. Sophie knows every button to push and pushes them often. I’m starting to realize the importance of ‘picking your battles’. But man, when everything is a battle, when do you cave and when do you stay strong? I expect a LOT from my 2 year old, but I’m that way because she is SMART. She knows how to communicate better than most 5 year olds and her vocabulary is well beyond her age. She knows how to spell her name, can recognize numbers & colors. 

Our biggest battles are sleep, diaper changing, and going out. Taylor had the pleasure of joining us for a Target run on Monday and boy was he in for it. I’ve learned that I cannot let Sophie ‘run around’. After all, she is still 2 and gets in to EVERYTHING. So she stays in the shopping cart or stroller if I can get away with it. He likes to let her run around, but Monday, she was in an extra special mood. UGH! And to top it all off, she has started biting herself if we tell her ‘no’ or she doesn’t get something she wants. She has little marks and scabs all over her hands. I spank her, she just bites harder. I mean, where is my handbook?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful she is determined and strong willed, that will serve her well later in life. If I’m being 100% honest, and judge me all you want, I don’t really like my child right now. I don’t like who she makes me be. I’m so snappy and exhausted at the end of the day, poor Taylor. Poor Sophie. 

I know all children go through this phase, I don’t think it’s just me. I just feel like we exit one wilderness just to enter another. I think I’ve got her figured out and BOOM goes the dynamite. Literally. 

And for the sake of my sanity, please don’t ask me, the mother of a 2 year old, when we will have another child. You might just get an earful of pent up frustration and anger. There is your warning. 

And just so you don’t think I complain all the time about my daughter, whom I really do love…lol. We had spiral ham on Easter Sunday and Sophie knows her meats. She is a pork girl to the core. We were sitting there and Taylor asks her “Sophie, do you know what you’re eating?” I know, we sound like wonderful parents…ha ha. Her reply was “Aww, so sorry piggy.” 

My mother and mother-in-law are my heros. Raising multiple children and they still have their sanity intact. This gives me hope! 🙂