So I throw the word "crazy" around a lot when referring to Claire. Maybe I should feel bad for that and for not focusing more on the good. There is of course plenty of good--she is so much fun, and hilarious, and really quite sweet at times. But the fact remains that she is dang hard right now! And "crazy" seems to be the main word that comes to mind. She woke up one day a few months ago acting totally nuts and things haven't mellowed since. I'm not exactly worried. The bad "crazy" isn't fun, but I just chalk it up to the fact that she's 3. I remember being so worried about Reese at that age thinking that I was doing something wrong to be raising such a rude sassy-pants. But now I've seen that Reese has majorly mellowed and I've realized that 3 is just hard. "3 is 2 with an attitude!" Random Lady at the grocery store once told me.
So we're definitely in the midst of it with this girl. Plus, she is absolutely glued to me! She is literally sitting or lying on me for much of the day. She freaks when I leave the house and sometimes even the room. Tom likes to joke, "Hey, have you heard about that new hit movie, 'Hostage', starring Claire Bjorkman?" Well, it's definitely now playing!
It's probably also a bit rough being the middle child. You're not the oldest always doing all the new things, and you're not the baby getting all the attention. Tom and I are very aware of this so we've been making special efforts to give her the individual attention she deserves.
One night last week, after Tom got back from work, Claire and I headed out on a mommy/daughter date to the amusement park. This picture of us walking together says it all.
8 comments:
So cute! I agree that 3 is 2 with an attitude. I remember thinking when Sammy was 2 that things couldn't get any worse... she sure likes to prove me wrong. 3 is much, much harder than 2. And it's a good thing God sends children cute otherwise most would not survive to adulthood. Give her a squeeze for me. Sure love ya!
You are such a good mom! I need to do one-on-ones more often. By the way, Elodie was very much a Claire once upon a time. :)
Rachel! Sometimes it takes reading about someone else's experience for me to open my eyes! Delaney has been so hard lately. I feel like I am going through the same things with her that you are with Claire. In fact, just this morning I told her-not very nicely either- to just stop following me around while I was trying to get ready. I swear I was bumping into her every time I moved. It can be so draining and it happens all day long. And then of course comes the guilt trip because I know because of the way that she has been acting that she isn't getting what she needs from me. Anyway, I love the pic of Claire and you holding hands. So cute! I think I need a date with Delaney! Thanks!
That first picture is FANtastic. Love it. I wish I could spend one on one time with my kids more. I think it does a world of good - especially for middle kids. Love your Claire. Crazy and all. :)
PS I haven't forgotten about your pics - I'm sorry it's taking so long. Still unpacking, and school starts tomorrow. Hoping to finish unpacking by Monday and have something of a routine going again.
You are such a good mama! It looks like you two had a fun outing. Claire is so love-able! These pics are great.
What a perfect description of a 3 year old. I swear it's so much worst than 2--especially with girls. Claire is quite possibly the most adorable little thing. I LOVE that excited picture of her taking off on her date. And thanks for the reminder about why it's hard to be the middle child. I needed that reminder with my Blake.
A friend once told me that when her kids are acting up she goes in to (or tries to) extra-attention mode for a couple days. Even if it doesn't change the kid, maybe it helps us adults relax and enjoy the kid.
I'd comment more, but SUmmer is ert677 taking over my computer. 5:30am. What were you saying about E's sleeping? I hear you.
Love that spunky little Claire. I need to do more one on ones like this.
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