ARGH!  Zevan was having some hellacious tantrums today.  If I had been in a better frame of mind, I would have videotaped them so you could see his little temper. 

He has trouble enunciating, and when he gets upset, it’s pretty much unintelligible.  And if I keep asking him to repeat himself, he gets madder still. 

He gets SO frustrated when things don’t work like he wants them to.  He really thinks he can do everything Zander can do.  When he can’t, he just loses it.  And he clenches his jaw, and pounds his little fist, and with each sentence, it starts as his normal voice and by the last word, it has escalated into a angry yell.     Wonder where he gets that from    Uh, me?

He and I went to Hobby Lobby today to get stuff for their costumes.  Of course, he fell asleep on the way there.  So I put him in the trusty ergo and he slept for about 30-40 minutes while I shopped around.  When he woke up, he was feeling happy again.  We even went to Wal-Mart and he was really good, even though he still seemed a little tired.

Sigh.  I really hope it doesn’t get to the same level as Zander’s did.  I’m still edgy from those. 

He’s been dry through the night for 2 nights now!     So I know if I put him on the potty first thing, he will go.  He always says he doesn’t want to go, but then if I leave him on the potty by himself, he’ll usually go within 10 minutes.  He has never pooped in the potty though.

Speaking of which, I found the most HILARIOUS video of Joe from Blue’s Clues singing a potty song.  Oh. My. God.  It was so bad it was funny.  I miss Steve.

Advice I have actually found useful: Don’t try to do too many stops in one day. It might take longer to get things done, but you will remain more sane if you just do 1-2 stops per day. Prioritize and plan. I try to do this most of the time. And nearly every time that I tried to squeeze in just ONE more thing, I always regret it.

I devote the rest to projects at home, napping, playing with/reading to the boys or sometimes just plopping them in front of the TV or letting them play computer games – educational, of course.

I try planning just one twenty minute activity together with each of them per day, it can make a big difference.

If I give them that time, I can “trade” it for my time. I had to bank some time first, so they got the idea.

Now I can mention it when you are getting ready to go run an errand. “Remember when we made cookies/drew pictures/played animals/superheroes today? Now it’s time for you to help mommy by being good in the store.”

Then during the errand, “If you can stay good until we check out, when we get home, we can play your favorite game.”

They can be reasoned with. The hardest part is that I absolutely have to do it without getting angry. It takes A LOT of work and patience on my part.

I’m SO not looking forward to big tantrums from Zevan. Sigh.