Madeline is sixteen now. Sure, technically she’s sixteen months, but she might as well be sixteen years sometimes. She’s figured out what she wants. Like my cell phone, any computer cable or plug, glass, forks, sharp objects, climbing things, dynamite, and the occasional Abby Cadabby doll. And she’s figured out what she does NOT want. Like food, baths, being told no, and sleeping in her crib.
The bath thing kills me. The second she sees the bathtub she starts SHRIEKING. I imagine it’s the same sound she would make if she were being murdered. I know I feel like my ear drums are being murdered when she screams. I’m pretty sure some blood has trickled out of my ears. I don’t know what happened to suddenly make her hate having a bath. She used to LOVE bath time, I have tons of photos of her smiling in the tub. It’s like a switch was flipped, and what was once fun is now TORTURE.
She’s very strong-willed now. I really have no idea where she gets it…it must be Mike’s side of the family! Heh. Sometimes it’s cute. It doesn’t matter how many times I tell her NO, or move her to another part of the room, or give her a new toy. She gets a determined look on her face and stretches and reaches and gets on the tips of her toes…and manages to reach beyond the baby-proofed line. I want to get mad, but sometimes I can’t help but be proud that she doesn’t give up until she gets what she wants. Then I usually tell her NO and put whatever she grabbed back where it had been before.
Then the screaming begins. Sigh. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if she hadn’t suddenly decided she doesn’t need a nap. AT ALL. I’m hoping this is something I can chalk up to daylight savings. Except it’s been a over a week since daylight savings started, and she still refuses to nap. Then she wants to be held. Then she wants to be PUT DOWN NOW. Then she is PISSED that I DARED to put her down. Then I lose my mind.
Except just when I think I can’t take the ‘tude anymore, I get this grin. And all is right with the world.
This is all just a phase….right?
Joe @ Irrational Dad says:
UGH… I was just telling Sarah yesterday that Tyler’s smile is like Kryptonite to me. No matter how upset and frustrated I get, as soon as he smiles I just melt.
Babies are the work of the devil!
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Peggy says:
Seriously Heather, you put mascara on your baby? I would kill for those gorgeous eyelashes! Even when she’s unhappy, she’s a doll!
Peggys last blog post..Now That’s Just Obnoxious…
Shania says:
Uh huh. Yeah. A phase. One that lasts for the next 15 years!
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dysfunctional mom says:
She will definitely outgrow it. By the time she’s 30.
I LOVE that first picture!!
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Ms. Moon says:
Yep. Just a phase. And as soon as this one passes, another will take its place.
preTzel says:
My boys went through the “I hate water” phase. It’s a fear/phobia that usually hits around this stage. She’ll get over it. Don’t push or force her into the water. Let her stand on the outside of the tub and put a heavy towel down to catch the water/soap as you bathe her standing up. She has to know that the big tub isn’t going to eat her. (There is a terrific Rugrats video about this too!)
The ‘tude? Give it up. She won’t get rid of that until you’re almost committed. That should be when she’s around 30 or so.
preTzels last blog post..I Have A Cute What???
Tiffany says:
I am having the same issues with my 15 month old! Totally normal, will last until…….well my 3 1/2 year old still acts that way……..
Tiffany
Tiffany says:
Oh and about the bath thing, try putting a little food coloring in the water, won’t hurt her and she might like a blue bath. Maybe some new bath toys too.
Alison says:
I just read something about the switch from “bath is fun” to “NONONO, OHEMGEE THERE IS NO WAY I AM GETTING IN THE BATH, ARE YOU CRAZY??.” http://babyshrink.com/2008/08/help-my-toddler-suddenly-hates-the-bath.html
Good luck on the battle of the wills!
Alisons last blog post..Twin Saints (No, Certainly Not Us)
Mama Bub says:
Having all of five months more experience, I can say that it’s a phase, but will most likely be replaced with another darling phase. We’re in the “babyproofing? What babyproofing?” stage, where he climbs from the dining table chairs to the dining table itself and pushes his train to the baby gate to get a boost over. It’s awesome.
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AMomTwoBoys says:
This IS just a phase.
Unfortunately, as soon as this one’s over, another one will start.
It’s a never ending cycle.
AMomTwoBoyss last blog post..SCARECROWS
Anna Marie Hinnant says:
I hear you sistah – Emmie is doing the same thing with the bath right now. She literally climbs me while screaming “MamaMamaMamaMamaMama!!!” like I’m dipping her into acid.
PsychMamma says:
J did the same thing with baths at about the same stage. It only lasted a few months, and then she started liking it again. Now, she LOVES bath time.
I actually read something that said that toddlers go through these obstinate, horrible, insanity-creating phases at the halfway mark between years. I scoffed at it at the time, but it has seemed to be (roughly) true. J transforms into Toddler Beast for a few months between the year markers, and then, for a few months around birthday time, she’s a gem. Weird.
LOVE the pictures. I need to take pictures of J when she’s melting down or pouting too. Gotta be able to prove to her someday that she wasn’t all peaches and sunshine.
PsychMammas last blog post..What Color Are YOUR Underwear?
Amy says:
Yep-it’s a phase that lasts until they move out of the house. I remind myself every time my wee one shows ‘tude that that is what kept him alive-his stubbornness and fighting attitude. It is also what started my gray hairs and wrinkles. And her smile-how could you resist it-she is absolutely one of the most gorgeous girls. Daddy is in trouble when those real teen years hit.
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J says:
Definitely 18 month phase striking your over-achieving Maddie a little early! My girl loved the bath (we COULD NOT GET HER OUT) until the day she turned 17 months when she screamed “NONONO” and wouldn’t go in unless I was in there with her. I got an Elmo bath mat and it actually really helped. I don’t know why. Others swear that getting those bathtime crayons which rinse off helps.
And also, now if I tell her no, she deliberately does something over and over and over again, just to see if I REALLY mean no. At first I couldn’t distract her come hell or high water but now, after 2 months, she is starting to be distractable again. I feel like it’s a giant motherhood test!
Danes says:
She might just snap out of it. I still get made fun of in my family for the fact that when I was two, I would wake up from my nap EVERY day and lie in the hallway and scream bloody murder. No one knew why, and I was inconsolable. My Mom went to a psychologist who told her it was a phase, ignore it, and it’ll stop. It did – just like that. Er, hopefully it’s one of those phases…..
Bec says:
Yeah, it’s totally a phase. It just lasts until they’re about 20 or so. We go through this with Erin every now and then. She loves the bath, she hates it, oh wait! She loves it again. We also go through the not needing a nap phase, she’ll refuse point blank for a week or so and then all of a sudden the fact that she’s only two will hit her and she’ll sleeeeeeeep so well. But then she catches up on it and we’re back to not napping.
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Jill says:
Abby is exactly the same way… I believe it’s what’s referred to as “spirited”. It drives me NUTS!! The only thing that keeps her occupied and satisfied for any length of time is raisins! Unfortunately they tend to re-hydrate in her intestinal tract and she poops grapes. Really really gross. But oh so worth my sanity sometimes!
MBKimmy says:
OMG … my daughter is 20 months … and all of a sudden HATES the bath. She used to beg for baths … she would play in the bath sometimes 3 times a day … I have NO IDEA what it is … weird!
I will pray for you and me that this is a phase! PS we get a lot of NO’s from her and she especially hates them when I tell her NO … if her Bubbie (her 6 month old brother) is around! AACK 2 under 2!
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Anissa@Hope4Peyton says:
Of COURSE it’s a phase! And it should end in about 15-19 years. So YAY! Something to look forward to.
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Issa says:
Uh yes Heather, it’s a phase. A, it will end when she moves out of you house phase.
Wait did you want me to lie to you?
That first picture is killing me. I’d give her anything right now. Really.
Issas last blog post..Uncle Marky
Ms. Changes Pants While Driving says:
ohmygodohmygodohmGAH!! i didn’t get the pictures downloaded (stupid work filters) and … OMYGOD!! is it mean to get a really good chuckle from your daughter’s pouting face?
and then i thought… you’re eviller for taking the picture and so laughed WITH you.
in my head. but whatever.
Ms. Changes Pants While Drivings last blog post..She
Domestic Extraordinaire says:
maybe she is growing? When The Chicken would go through a growth spurt she would always get like that-everything pissed her off. And since Maddie needs that spurt I will hope that this is the case. Until then (((hugs)))
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Bonnie says:
I know, Alex is on a whining streak! Just hurts my ears!
Maybe try climbing in the bathtub with her and having some fun playtime? Or blowing bubbles at her while she is in the bath?
Bonnies last blog post..Love & Logic-ing a Tantrum
Heather says:
I was going to thank you for saving my sanity because my little one has decided naps, and now sleep in general, is entirely optional and subject to her whims. It’s good to know she’s not the only one.
But your other commenters have me verrry nervous about the next 17 years now. Back to my happy place…
Heathers last blog post..Sometimes, there’s not enough hours in the day
Christina says:
Um, yep, it’s a phase. But I can’t say that the next phase is much easier.
Cordy went through the same terror of the bath. Mira doesn’t like it either, but she’ll at least tolerate it. I promise, she will like the bath again, and then you’ll have to force her to get out long after she’s turned pruney.
Christinas last blog post..Brown Thumb To Green-ish Thumb
thatgirlblogs says:
Two of my four are teens… the phase returns at that time… enjoy the fact that you can pick her up and put her on timeouts now! What a beautiful baby you have.
Belle says:
Heather — I don’t know if it’s a phase or not. But I do know that no matter her attitude at any given moment, Madeline is absolutely gorgeous! That totally supercedes any attitude any day!!
Marinka says:
She hates the bath because it screws up her hair style. Duh. And you need to get some earplugs.
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