This week, DH and I attended our 26-month-old's first Parent-Teacher conference at his day care. I thought the idea was cute, and a good opportunity to get to know his teacher better. They really weren't for the purpose of assessing skills and knowledge; rather for sharing the positive interactions our son was engaging in with his caregivers and other children.
STILL, I didn't expect to hear phrases such as, "always happy," "smiles all day," "takes redirection in stride," "follows all directions," "never cries or whines, even when his classmates hit/bite/push him," joins in activities with enthusiasm," "shows much patience," "always says 'thank you' and 'please.'"
My husband and I looked at each other. I said to the teacher, "Are we talking about the same child here?" MY son? Who whines the whole way home from day care? Who pours his juice on the cat? Who hits the cat with the plastic shovel? Who hits mommy with the plastic shovel? Who refuses to nap on weekends only to become a holy terror by 4pm? Who screams in the restaurant high chair? Who throws himself on the ground at the zoo because the penguins aren't out? Who refuses to hug Daddy goodnight? Who wakes up and cries for 1.5 hours in the middle of the night??!
Anyone else feeling annoyed that you've been dealing gracefully (except for the times when you step out of the room to kick inanimate objects. Oh, and the extra large glasses of wine before bed) with all the "TOTALLY NORMAL!!" toddler behaviors only to find out that he/she is an ANGEL for grandma/husband/babysitter? What gives? I'm on board for the long-haul of terrible twos, as long as it's terrible for everyone involved, not just me!
STILL, I didn't expect to hear phrases such as, "always happy," "smiles all day," "takes redirection in stride," "follows all directions," "never cries or whines, even when his classmates hit/bite/push him," joins in activities with enthusiasm," "shows much patience," "always says 'thank you' and 'please.'"
My husband and I looked at each other. I said to the teacher, "Are we talking about the same child here?" MY son? Who whines the whole way home from day care? Who pours his juice on the cat? Who hits the cat with the plastic shovel? Who hits mommy with the plastic shovel? Who refuses to nap on weekends only to become a holy terror by 4pm? Who screams in the restaurant high chair? Who throws himself on the ground at the zoo because the penguins aren't out? Who refuses to hug Daddy goodnight? Who wakes up and cries for 1.5 hours in the middle of the night??!
Anyone else feeling annoyed that you've been dealing gracefully (except for the times when you step out of the room to kick inanimate objects. Oh, and the extra large glasses of wine before bed) with all the "TOTALLY NORMAL!!" toddler behaviors only to find out that he/she is an ANGEL for grandma/husband/babysitter? What gives? I'm on board for the long-haul of terrible twos, as long as it's terrible for everyone involved, not just me!
I babysit for her and she's delightful--never cries or whines, does whatever I ask, plays nicely with my kids. The moment my brother or sister-in-law step in the door, though, it's all about "no THANK you!" and "all DONE sweater!" and hitting and screaming and writhing. I love her to pieces and see her at least once a week and often more frequently, but she still isn't comfortable enough with me to really let loose. I would imagine she'll be a perfect angel when she starts school, too. 
You know, SaoirseC, maybe I read something like your theory at some point along the way, or I had a 'sense' that this was the case. Either way, if it's true, then it's totally worth the frustrating moments to know that my kid can be himself around me.
