The Right Perspective

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Discouraged

It's 9:50 pm on Thursday night. I have hardly said two words to my husband, my 3 year old is still awake and determined to stay that way and be angry about it, despite having started the bedtime process at 8:00 pm.

Em had at least one major meltdown (the kind where people openly stare and judge with evil looks) in KMart and two minor ones in two other small stores.

She can hardly keep her eyes open past 4:00 and she is crabby and miserable and making us all that way. She has dark circles forming under her eyes. Nothing we do is right or helpful at all.

This has been going on for a month and a half, night after night, relentless in intensity and getting worse.

I can't think of another time in my life when I've been more discouraged, defeated and frustrated. My heart is heavy and breaking and I don't know how to fix things or who to talk with or where to turn next. I'm praying but it feels like no one is listening. I know that isn't true, but still....

5 comments:

Beth/Mom2TwoVikings said...

Aw, honey...I just want to come down there and whisk you guys off for something fun! I'm really sorry this is happening. While in the midst of it, it seems like it will never end...kinda like that "mommy hazing" stage when you first bring them home from the hospital...but it DOES PASS! Hang in there. And, hang on to Him. (((hugs)))

Beth/Mom2TwoVikings said...

Another thought I stumbled across just now: http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2007/10/hold-together.html

Anonymous said...

Hi Christina - Lorie from PAIF here. Just wanted to let you know that Cadence is stuck in the same rut from what it sounds like. Been going on for at least 2 months now, maybe more. It's been so long I've lost track. It doesn't matter what time we start bedtime routine, it's the same thing every night. she won't stay in bed, CIO does nothing but make her get so worked up she nearly vomits, we've tried logic [hahaha!] she doesn't get that she'll be exhausted when we wake her for school the next morning, and she doesn't understand that Mommy and Daddy are exhausted and frustrated, and that she could help by laying down and going to sleep.

We've spoken with the pedi a number of times and still no add'l ideas other than what we're already doing, which is being consistent, and sticking to the routine.

And yet Every.Single.Night she is up until about 10:20pm. That's usually the last time we walk her back to her room, tuck her in again, and then she FINALLY, mercifully falls to sleep.

Cadence is 2 1/2, FYI, and we've tried the baby gate in front of her room so she doesn't get out but she just screams and cries and on occasion knocks the whole thing over.

I'm exhausted, DH is beat, we're both frustrated, Cadence looks tired, has dark circles under her eyes too, but we just can't get her down and are completely out of ideas.

I know this is not exactly encouraging and brimming with solutions, but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. You are most definitely not alone.

Thinking of you,
Lorie

Christina said...

Thanks, Beth. I apologize again for having to cancel today, but I know it was the right decision.

I appreciate the concern and the encouragement. I'm just worn down right now and I don't have much left to give to anyone or anything else at the moment. Selfish, I know, but I don't know what else to do.

Christina said...

Lorie,

I really appreciate your words of encouragement and making the trip over here.

I so wish you didn't understand. Frankly I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Some moms say that they hope their children have a child just like them, but I don't wish this on Emily ever.

It helps to know I'm not alone, though.

What does your pediatrician say about this? Can you pinpoint a reason why/when it started? Just curious. This feels like more than just a phase to me, since it's been going on similar to this off and on about ever month or two since Emily was born.

Oh wait, I see that your pedi doesn't have any ideas either. Bummer....for both of us. Is Cadence strong-willed? Em sure is.

Well, thanks again for the encouragement. I hope that things get better ASAP for both of our families. This is tough.