Who Are You?

You are the sweetest little girl. You help us clean up, get diapers for brother’s diaper changes, and we have some of the neatest conversations. But lately there has been a new side to you that I never expected.

You’ve always been very affectionate with your brother; sometimes you’re a little too affectionate. But lately you have been down right mean to him. Monday night you slapped him across the face as daddy put him in the bathtub, Tuesday morning you yanked two handfuls of hair out of his head, and yesterday you kicked him in the face and pushed him down the stairs.

I am at an absolute loss as to how to handle this. We’ve tried time-outs, but those don’t seem to work. You find spanking uncomfortable, but it’s no deterrent. Shutting you in your room only makes you dread bedtime. So we’re now trying the Pack ‘n Play. You really hate Pack ‘n Play time-outs, so hopefully this will work.

You spent large stretches of yesterday afternoon in your new time out crib. The screaming and yelling and crying and fit throwing was uncomfortable for both of us, but it seems to have helped because you were much better last night and today. This morning you asked what the Pack ‘n Play was for. When I told you it was where you go for time out, you said “when I hurt my brother?” At least the idea seems to be sinking in.

The absolute worst part of all of this (for me, at least) is that I feel like a horrible parent. I can’t protect my sweet son. From his big sister. I’ve always figured you guys would wrestle and hit and pinch, etc. when you two were older. I never thought I would have to protect him so much from his big sister. Especially because you’re so caring most of the time.

I think the reason for all of this is that you’re testing your boundaries. Your daddy and I have been very busy the past week, so you’ve had several caregivers. The rules have been stretched, so now that things are a little more normal you need a reminder of what is acceptable behavior.

Consider yourself reminded.