Mine!

About two weeks ago, Isabelle began what I call the "Mine" phase of her toddler years. I imagine it is what most people refer to as the terrible twos. It goes something like this:

Me: "Belle? Do you want me to help you?" (watching her shake her doll furiously, trying to get the plastic brush out of it's tangled hair)

Isabelle: "NO!!!!!! It is MINE!"

Me: "Yes, I know the doll is yours, but can I just help you get the brush out?"

Isabelle: "NOooooooooo!!!!! MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (getting red in the face and starting to hyperventilate, still flinging doll around and tugging on hair)

Me: "Isabelle, calm down. Will you let Mommy show you how to get the brush untangled, please?" (Me reaching for the doll while trying to maintain my cool)

Isabelle: "NO, NO, NO!!!!! (collapsing on the floor into a full fledged kicking and screaming tantrum)

Me: "Fine then, you let me know when you are done throwing a fit and want some help." (me walking from room, which further escalates Isabelle into new throws of passion)

Now before you believe my child to be one of those maniac, zero-disciplined children that run their parents into the ground let me reassure you, she is not. Frankly, by most people's standards I am fairly old school and am more firm with my child then many other mothers I know. I believe in a schedule, regular bed times, please and thank you, balanced meals, and a house that is first and foremost run by the parents. Above all whining will not be tolerated. However, many times lately it just has to be ignored. Belle has a stubborn, bull-headed side (I mostly blame her father for that) and never does things the easy way. And as any parent will tell you, it is real easy to stand on the side lines and watch a tantrum happening and pass judgement, but once that child is your kid, the game changes and you have a new appreciation and understanding. I have come to realize that I can put her in time out and try and show her other ways to manage her anger, and can explain repeatedly that not everything is hers, and that screaming "MINE" at the top of her lungs might put some people off, but she also just has to out grow it. So, I guess it is just the terrible twos.

In the mean time I should invest in some ear plugs or maybe a sensory deprivation chamber!