Ginger is giving us a run for our money! Seriously, the "Two's" are here...bigtime! Her newest thing is that she doesn't want to wear any clothes or shoes. Ever.
She is in the midst of potty training (her choice) and well, it could be going a lot better. It is messy, and that is all I am going to say about that. ;-)
Every day, I take Paprika to school with Ginger and baby Violet in tow. It's quite a production to get everyone out the door, find parking, and get Paprika to her classroom on time.
Well, it wouldn't be so hard except that Ginger is just about as uncooperative as a person can be. On Tuesday (first day back after Winter Break), Ginger had such a fit about the whole thing. She looked at me and said, "I don't want to wear clothes. I don't want to wear a jacket. I don't want to wear a diaper, or a pull-up, or big girl panties. I don't want to wear shoes. Don't talk to me about it! Don't say a word!"
I went back and forth, and back and forth trying to get her dressed. It was a comedy of errors. I would get Ginger dressed, then the baby would start crying, so I would take care of the baby. Then, I would turn around and Ginger would be totally nake.d and running away from me.
So, what do you think happened? Time ran out and I had to get Paprika to school. I loaded Ginger into the van buck nake.d and just drove her to school like that. I threw her clothes in the van and planned on getting her dressed once we got to school. Well, we got there and she was still having an enormous meltdown, and the baby was crying, and I knew there was just no way I could get them out of the van and walk Paprika to school. I was sitting there with the van door open in the middle of the street, head in hands. Thankfully, a sweet mom from Paprika's school walked by. She was on her way to pick up her girls, so she walked Paprika the rest of the way...
Needless to say, it has been a bit of a whirlwind for me now that Mr. M is back at work. He is working on a movie outside of LA, and so I am here, you know, holding down the fort with these kids on my own. Oh boy. It's been a little tricky, but I am finding my way. Mostly, I am just trying to stay super organized and not sweat the small stuff. That's a good lesson in itself. Ha!
One of my biggest obstacles is that I have a super hard time accepting help from anyone - I am one of those people who wants to do it all myself, and never ask for help ever. But for the first time in my life, I am starting to see the need to get help here and there for little things...baby steps. I am also learning to let go a bit more - if the house looks like a hurricane went through it, or the shelves are dusty, or the laundry gets piled up...oh well. Not the end of the world, right? Kids are only little once.
Back to my story...today Ginger threw the same fit when we went to pick Paprika up at school. So, I just made sure she had a diaper on and took her to school nake.d. Then when we got there, I stuck her in the stroller and we rolled up to Paprika's class just like that- no shoes, no shirt, nothin'. When all the moms saw Ginger, they were laughing (hopefully laughing with me, not at me)! Anyone who has ever had a feisty two and half year old gets it. At least that is what I am telling myself!
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6 comments:
I'm sorry, but this post has me laughing out loud! Ginger sounds very strong willed! I think back to Brennan's worst moments and think I always have to remember that no stage lasts forever (sometimes good and sometime not) It seems like forever when you're in it, but so soon that it passes and you look back and laugh as I'm sure you will and maybe are now:) I hope Ginger decides (soon) that she does not want to be a nudist!
Oh gosh, you just gave me flashbacks of taking my daughter to pre k last year with her little brother in tow. AHHh! It was really bad. Some days I left in tears after dropping her off or picking her up. He doesn't cooperate if he does not want to do what needs to be done and there is no room for negotiation with him.
You are doing a fabulous job, and sometimes, you have to roll with the punches, as you just did and accept taking a naked kid places. Ginger sounds so much like C. Not sure when it gets better.
oh we have so many nakey battles at our house too. she won't wear anything and she goes nutso if you try to force her. only problem is it is dead winter here so we have to put her in something. otherwise she would totally go naked because it just isn't worth the battle! you are so awesome taking care of them while mr.m is working. you rock!
Ginger is channeling an earlier Elton John is these photos! Yep, there's always one jaybird or kid that will undress as soon as you have them dressed. Glad you decided to just roll with it. Keep extra clothes in the car. Maybe she'll just change outfits. She's ready for things to slow down and she's not too subtle in her delivery. This made me laugh and go digging through my photos. It'll pass, in the mean time take tons of pictures!!! I so loved hearing from my son when he got older "Mom, what's up with my clothes? Why am I almost naked and everyone else is dressed for winter?" My reply, " I loved you then and I love you now, you little shit. You should be glad you had a Mom that was crazy enough to let you be a weird kid."
Let her fly her freak flag. It builds character and sense of self.
Yes, my son is still a weirdo and I love him.
I love how you put it "Ginger is just about as uncooperative as a person can be", and I think you're a fantastic Mom.
Not getting too fussed about it will certainly help, and Ginger will come around, in her own time.
I agree with Sheila, and I think (for what it's worth!) Ginger is probably making sure the world doesn't revolve around the other two. She's being her own person, with her own ideas. And that's to be celebrated. It's just finding a way that it'll work (incl the school run!) for all of you that's the challenge.
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