The Terribles

I adore my daughter.  There was a stretch of time a few years back when I had accepted the reality that I would probably never have kids.  Then Eva came along and changed my reality.  Motherhood has been a sweet miracle in my life and I recognize that Eva is one of my greatest blessings.  I cherish our days together.

But now Eva is 3.  Now Eva is opinionated, headstrong, and wants it her way.  All the time.  I don’t know where she learned this behavior but it certainly didn’t come from me.  The only adjectives people have ever used to describe my personality are: docile, submissive, meek, patient, longsuffering…need I go on?

Eva didn’t suffer from the Terrible 2’s but we are definitely struggling with the Terrible 3’s. 

Here are some actual statements my dear daughter has said to me or Michael recently:

• Leave me alone!
• Stop looking at me!
• You can’t talk to me!
• Piercing screeching sound… 
• You can’t say NO, you say YES!
• I don’t want to be happy!
• Don’t say that!
• No!  I’m not a good girl!

I feel exasperated a lot lately.  Just when I’m deep in the supposition that my parenting skills are atrocious, Eva will say something that makes my heart gleam with hope.  Here are some more actual statements my sweet daughter has said to me recently:

• Oh, Mama!  I love you so much!
• I missed you!
• You wanna play with me?
• I’m so happy to see you!
• I’m sorry I do naughty things.
• You’re so beautiful!
• You’re such a good Mama.
• Can I snuggle with you?
• I’m sorry you got mad.
• You wanna sing me a song?
• I’ll be obedient, Mama.

My favorite comment to date came just a few days ago while I was helping her in the bathroom.  She said:

• Poo makes you so happy, Mama!

I’m not sure when I gave the impression that my favorite reward is the gift of poo, but just so you know, I don’t really garner any joy from the stuff.  At least she’s trying to make me feel happy.  Even if it is with poo. 

I’ll count that as progress.