PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome): A powerful spell that women are put under about once every month, which gives them the strength of an ox, the stability of a Window’s operating system and the scream of a banshee. The most common mood-related symptoms are irritability, crying, over-sensitivity, and mood swings.
I’m not gonna lie, like most woman I get a dose of PMS each month and my husband can predict exactly what time of the month it is by my tolerance levels, my ability to be rational and my quick temper. This usually lasts about 3 days and then I come right and I can laugh about it because I know that I am doing it but I really can’t help it!
My 2 year old has the EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. But it is lasting far longer than 3 days. Try the last month (and counting). I was super lucky to avoid the tantrum stage with my oldest boy but the youngest is making me pay by upping the ante to tenfold what other mums seem to be experiencing! The tantrums and mood swings are epic. I walk on eggshells afraid to do the wrong thing for fear of triggering one. Things that were once safe zones (like Henry Hugglemonster, a bottle, a hug) are no longer safe zones. Sometimes they are and other times … not so much.
1. IRRITABILITY
He is irritable as hell. Heaven forbid I try to cover him with a blanket, offer to help him with his gumboots, attempt to help build his lego tower. Have you ever noticed just how awkward little kids are at putting on shoes? My husband always jokes that he takes after me because I always seem to find the hardest way possible to do something (I beg to differ) and Finn is much the same.
He is just so irritable with everything at the moment. Trying to turn the page in a book and it won’t turn to the page he wants? Book goes flying*. The star won’t fit in the square hole of the puzzle? The puzzle is thrown across the room*. He can’t find the toy he wants? Whole toy bucket gets tipped over and the toy bucket gets tossed as far as possible*.
*NOTE: These things usually happen accompanied by screaming.
Offer to help? NO! Pushes me away ‘Uffy do it!’.
2. CRYING
I DON’T WANT IT! Waaaaaaahhhhhh!
This is what I hear from the second he gets up in the morning these days. I’m not actually kidding. He wakes up crying and continues crying for a whole hour until we get in the car to go to Nanas house where he is suddenly all happy, like a switch has flipped. We go from hysterical crying on the lounge room floor because daddy looked at him to all smiles and ‘Hi Gandad! What are you doing? Hi Nanny! I love you! Bye mummy, mummy go work now!’Love you!’.
3. OVER-SENSITIVITY
Last night we played hide and seek and he hid (ie. ran down to the kitchen and then 2 seconds later ran back towards us to proclaim we had found him) and to carry on the game I said to my husband ‘I can’t see him? Where’s Finley? Can you see him daddy?’ ‘No, I can’t see him, where has he gone? I wonder where he is?’ all the while he was jumping in front of us laughing and saying ‘Here I am! I right here!’. We pretended to carry on looking while he followed us ‘Is he in the bathroom? Nope, not in here! Where is he hiding?’. Then all of a sudden he just started crying ‘I invisible! I gone! Mummy, I right here! Mummy!’ and that was that, he was hysterical because he thought he had gone invisible. We have played this game many many (MANY!) times and he has always laughed and giggled his way through this charade like it was the best thing since sliced bread.
Until last night.
4. MOOD SWINGS
Oh boy. The mood swings! let me tell you, this kid just doesn’t know what he wants. Or he does. I’m not actually too sure at this point.
As I said, he woke up crying this morning (and every other morning before it for the last month) and then cried when I offered him a bottle, cried because it wasn’t hot enough, then it was too hot, then he wanted me to walk him to the lounge to have it, then dad was on the couch so he threw himself on the floor, then daddy looked at him ‘No daddy look at me! Daddy looked at me! No daddy!’, then he got on the couch and I attempted to put a blanket on him as per usual ‘No blanket! No want blanket!‘, then I put on Hugglemonsters ‘No want Hugglemonsters!’ so I changed it ‘Want Hugglemonsters! Hugglemonsters mummy! Mummmmmy!’ so I put it back on, then I left the room and he followed me crying that mummy needed to come in the lounge too but I told him I had to get ready for work ‘No work mummy! No get ready!’. The whole time he cried. The whole hour. Crying. Waaaaahhhhhh! ‘No want gumboots!’ . ‘Mummy, I want gumboots!’.
Seriously. Doing. My. Head. In.
Can anyone else relate to this? Is your child doing the same? Will it ever end?!
Hahahhahhha! Mmmmmmm, can I relate to this….? Let me think about it… YES!! My only question is why? WHYYYYYYYYYYY MEEEEEEEEE?
Hugzilla recently posted…Style 101: How To Look Like a Total Loser at School Pick-Up
Because … Oh, I don’t know! Just crack open the wine! Repeat after me: This too shall pass.
Hehehe, the same could be said for my 9 month old! Although Im pretty sure she goes through PMS every day.
Luisa @ Looking for mama me recently posted…When the world changed in 3 minutes…
Haha. Oh dear Luisa, starting young! Brace yourself! 😉 We had another evening of it tonight. Sigh.
Haha oh no! I laughed my way through this because I TOTALLY understand! Hang in there mama, it’ll pass xo
Meagan Kerr recently posted…Witchy woman
I hope so! This kid is melting my heart one minute and cutting open daddy’s with a razor the next! Haha.
Haidee recently posted…A Tale Of Two Uffy’s
LOL. yes!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted…Day 2109 – Pyjamas as daywear
You’ve dealt with it too huh? Sigh. 🙂
Oh yes, I can SO relate to this with my 2 year old
Amy @ Handbagmafia recently posted…Confessions of a Dettol Addict
Glad it’s not just me! Sorry. But I am glad you are enduring it too so I feel less lonely over here being screamed at! Haha.
Ha ha ha – I never thought of it as PMS but it is exactly like that!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted…Friday Favourite: Inked in Colour
It totally is Malinda! It came about when I was trying to explain to my father-in-law what his mood swings were like and it suddenly hit me – he was like a woman with hormonal mood swings. One minute he loves me the next he doesn’t. So unpredictable!
Haidee recently posted…The 12 Year Anniversary – A Time For Change
We are at the delightful stage where all I seem to do all day is break up fights between the kids and stop them antagonising each other. They are only five and two. Sigh.
Emily recently posted…Your Best Year Ever – Kelly Exeter (book review)
We have the occassional fight but mostly the oldest is pretty mellow. If he wasn’t we’d be having bigger issues! I’m sure that will change as they get older! You now have a new job title: Referee. Or perhaps head of HR within your home. Good luck!
HaHa! So true!
It is isn’t it? I’m surprised I didn’t realise sooner!
Haidee recently posted…The 12 Year Anniversary – A Time For Change
A great comparison!! Made me giggle too.
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted…WWU – Our Home
Glad I gave you a giggle Kaz! Happy Friday!
Haidee recently posted…The 12 Year Anniversary – A Time For Change
Loved this, so funny and so true! I guess copious amounts of chocolate probably isn’t the way to go with toddlers though lol #TheList
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Random Musings recently posted…What I Would Do If I Won A Million Dollars!
Hahaha! That made me spit out my coffee. No, I suppose it probably wouldn’t be wise! Should I try it? 😉 Social experiment maybe?
Maybe on really bad days lol 🙂
Debbie
Random Musings recently posted…What I Would Do If I Won A Million Dollars!
My 2yr old has been like this for months {and she’s technically not even 2 for another week}. I don’t see it ending anytime soon 🙁
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted…The Wild Collective is coming…
I know. Sigh. We started early too.
Ha ha! This tickled me. My toddler can be rather moody sometimes, but to be honest I think my PMS is worse than him lol
Carlyakamummy recently posted…A Mother’s Work is Never Done
Haha, maybe you should be grateful that you get to remain the only grumpy one 🙂 And you CAN eat chocolate so that makes it better!
“the stability of a Window’s operating system”
This is the perfect analogy for me and PMS lol.
Vanessa1 recently posted…5 Random Facts About Me
I just sat through a million windows updates and then it took aaaaages to start going again. I’m not liking windows much at the moment. Do you suppose that’s how our husbands must feel?
Haidee recently posted…The 12 Year Anniversary – A Time For Change
I’m so glad I’m over is stage. Now I just get a dirty look, ignored and talked back to.
Hmm, I’m thinking that sounds worse! At least I still get cuddles amidst the tears!
Haidee recently posted…A Tale Of Two Uffy’s
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with that comparison Haidee!
We thought we were past all of that with our older boys, but then the eldest started school and the over-sensitivity and unpedictability began again and lasted several months.
#TheList
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
Fionnuala recently posted…Invisible Parenting
Hope it settled down! I am told this stage sometimes lasts a lot longer than we are ready for and comes and goes into teen years! Brace yourself 😉
PMS-like mood swings aren’t just limited to toddlers – our six year old can still lose his biscuits at the drop of a hat, normally when he’s tired and hungry 🙂
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red recently posted…The dreaded dinner time
Sounds like all of us! Being tired and hungry can reduce me to it too most times! Or lacking in caffeine. Especially lacking in caffeine.
Haidee recently posted…The 12 Year Anniversary – A Time For Change
So true for little ones at any age I think! This post is hilarious 😀 I’m excited for and dreading when my daughter starts becoming her own little person…
#thelist
Steph xo
Stephanie recently posted…My Favourite Films
It is (mostly) awesome, you have lots to look forward to!
We are actually experiencing this behavior with increased regularity at our house as well….it’s really tough because he is a usually happy guy! But PMS perfectly describes it.
laura recently posted…What Are We Reading
Mine too, except mornings and evenings! He is not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination and must be tired at night because he just has mega meltdowns over EVERYTHING. In between he is the happiest little dude.
Haidee recently posted…10 Truths About Little Boys
Oh it drives me mad when they have those ‘I don’t know what I want’ days! So frustrating! x
Another way to describe it perfectly! Very frustrating! Lucky they’re cute 😉
So true! My 2 year old drives me to the brink (or drink) daily with his PMS like antics!
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted…All The Newborn-ness
Ha! To the drink daily. Love it!
Yes, I can relate for sure. What a fun & witty post, I really enjoyed it! #TheList x
Thanks Becky! 🙂
Haidee recently posted…10 Phases of Toddlerdom
Great post! My toddler does all of these…ahh the joys! #TheList xx
I’m just quietly glad it’s not just me!
Haidee recently posted…10 Phases of Toddlerdom
Ooh yes I can relate. Although my five year old has passed out of the epic tantrums stage, my 16 month old is just working his way towards what I know will be a masterful crescendo. Both my husband and I still remember Miss 5, as a two year old, screaming and crying over a nappy change and shouting at both of us “NO CHANGE MY POOS!”
Because we’d all rather sit around with a dirty nappy than endure mum spending 30 seconds putting a clean one on…!
Meryl @ Simple Family Home recently posted…Shopping for Kids: Gender Stereotypes
I swear my 2 year old read this comment and decided to give it a go because he just started this yesterday! AGH!
Hahaha that just gave me the biggest Monday morning laugh!!! Thanks!!!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted…One Bowl Peach and Yoghurt Cake
You’re welcome, always good to start the week with a giggle 🙂
This is so true! The only difference is the lack of wine and chocolate. Genius post. Have a lovely week
Thanks! Wine and chocolate are there for us to cope 😉
Haidee recently posted…Why A Facebook Break Was The Best Thing I Did This Year
Are you in my life?! This is brilliant because it is TRUE! Baby is exactly like this and it is doing my HEAD IN TOO! Contrary little monsters 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…The First Sports Day
Hahaha, I think 95% of mothers with a 2 year old are in this life right now! At least you know you’re not the only one now! 😉
Oh yes, I can relate! I hate toddler PMS. So much worse than female adult PMS. My son does a lot of this crap too….well, he used to. I ended up just throwing my hands in the air and walking away. So he has learnt that I won’t pay attention to his little episodes anymore. xo
Kelly recently posted…THE CURSE OF SELECTIVE HEARING – Guest Post
Wise wise woman Kelly. I think I left it too late to try that approach and he follows me screaming anyway clawing at my legs like something out of a horror film (which I know you love so much!). Haha.
Haidee recently posted…Why A Facebook Break Was The Best Thing I Did This Year
Seriously funny and accurate post! I’ve got all this to look forward to, my one year old already throws himself backwards if he doesn’t get his own way and launches toys across the room xx #TheList
Hannah Budding Smiles recently posted…Talking Baby Health With Colief
You have ‘a Finley’ baby as I like to call them. Full on, loud, hide no emotions, snap easily, love greatly and talk ALL DAY. Gotta love them 🙂
Haidee recently posted…Why A Facebook Break Was The Best Thing I Did This Year
So so true, my now 6 year old was hell as a 2 year old, but he turned out good now, still drives me round the bend but hes a good kid, and I’m going through it again with youngest at the moment who turned 2 a couple of weeks ago. Its a killer. x
caroline recently posted…My Mummy Fitness Report – Back On Track
Lucky they’re cute huh!