Monday, November 7, 2011

a strange and unexpected call for advice

I've been wondering lately... about a lot of things.

Like how one talks a three-and-a-half-year-old down from a crying frenzy.
Like if the truth is boys are easier or harder than girls and what exactly that means anyway.
Like what is the magic formula for dealing with these time changes with kids because the change just kicks my TRASH every time.
Like are there any Thanksgiving movies (this one was a point of discussion with Chip yesterday and we couldn't think of any except for the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving cartoon).

Things like that.

And it's not that I'm really truly worried and freaking out about any of the above--- but I'm curious if any of you have any advice or thoughts.  Or just general comiseration.

7 comments:

bzzzzgrrrl said...

I went looking for Thanksgiving movies for you (having no children, I am unqualified to offer other advice) and found this list. Now that I have read it, I am embarrassed to say the only ones I've seen are The House of Yes, which is creepy and weird (but also awesome, as long as you're prepared for creepy and weird), and Brokeback Mountain, which I hated.

Sorry I'm not more help.

Anonymous said...

Planes, Trains and Automobiles!!!!!

"Those aren't pillows.....!!"

Amanda said...

Oh it depends on the stage. I have one girl, one boy, they have each challenged me at different parts of their lives. Neither has been easier overall. :D

Alicia said...

1. I don't know how to talk children down from crying. I'm terrible at it.

2. I think boys are easier, in general. I always wonder what parts of Anneke are harder because they're girl-related and what parts are harder because of her personality, but here are the things I think are harder because she's a girl (not saying this is INNATE or anything, just that this is what she either learned to be or just is or whatever)... Dramatic, oh so dramatic, about everything. My boys can be like that, but it's more intense for her, and it's lasted longer. She will cry at the drop of a hat, spin herself into a state of frenzy. SO concerned with her appearance. She has been fighting me on clothes since she was 2 or 3 (and I hardly care, it should be noted). My three boys have yet to care AT ALL, and one is older than her. Girliness. I'm not girlie at all. I have no idea how to relate to this part of her. I can, however, totally relate to my boys, who tend to be more easygoing and way less concerned with how they present to the outside world. Also, she's sneaky and a rule breaker. I don't think that has to do with her being a girl, though. She's also shy in a more complicated way than my (also shy in many ways) boys. Like, she wants to be demure somehow. All I want is for her to grow into a strong woman who knows what she wants, but the way society tells her to be bashful or feminine or whatever is totally smacking this hope around. With boys, there are no major diaper change CREVICES, if you know what I mean (potty training's totally easier with girls, though... score 1 for girls). Haircuts are easier with boys; you can do them at home. I have no teenagers yet, but I hear girl teenagers are to be feared more than boy teenagers, and I can completely imagine this given my children's personalities now. Like, the things that really seem hard about Anneke also seem like a 15-year-old. There's more, I'm sure, but I'll stop now because this was only supposed to be a comment on a blog.

3. I have no formula. It's terrible, but it's short lived.

4. There's that one great one I'm thinking of, but I think it may be Christmas instead of Thanksgiving... Ack. Who was in it? Let me think on this one.

Anonymous said...

For talking a 3 year old out of a crying fit, whip out a video camera/cell phone and start filming. She'll stop right away!

clueless but hopeful mama said...

1. I'm terrible at it, too. It really depends on why they're crying, right? If it's for attention, I ignore it, obviously. If it's overreaction, I offer a hug and if that's not enough I tell her I have to go do a few things and she can come find me when she's done. If it's a tantrum-type thing, I will start whispering something to her, she usually has to stop crying in order to hear me.

2. From what I hear: boys = more destruction, girls = more drama. From what I see: I believe it.

3. The time change just sucks ass. Every year I think it's got to get easier and every year it sucks ass.

4. I got nothin'.

Bird said...

I feel like we've recovered from the wrath of the time change. Today was a normal (for them) wakeup and last night was okay too.

I see boys as very eneregetic, move a LOT and loud. Girls as more emotional and willing to play quietly. Both are fun, regardless.

I have no help with the crying. I just wish this phase would pass already.