Tantrums

I have a hard time understanding why I pick Lillie up at school every day and there are no bad behavior reports.  I'm beyond thankful that Lillie is a sweet little girl to all her friends at school and she listens carefully to her teachers instructions.  But, does she really love it there that much? 

Not that I'm complaining, but at home Lillie is your average almost 2 year old - a few tantrums in the 4 waking hours we have together isn't unusual.

I often take this complaint to Mimi - who sweetly talks through the many reasons why Lillie acts out in general and only acts out only at home.

1.  When we are at home during the week we are usually in a hurry and she is usually being asked to do something (quickly) - eat, lay still, be strapped into a car seat, etc. VS. being at school where she plays with her peers, her favorite toys and apparently is always lingering behind the other kids to "smell the roses".  The teachers have mentioned at school that Lillie likes to take her time...

2.  Our family life is unpredictable and uncertain at times.  Although we try our best, Lillie's life is also very unpredictable.  Brad and I are putting the pieces of each day together in the best way we know how - and that means we both pitch in to get things done.  Lillie never really knows who is taking her to school or picking her up, where she is going eat dinner or what the weekends will entail.  VS. school were everything is scheduled, predictable and known.

3.  Finally, being a toddler is just hard in general- whether you are at home or at school.  Seriously.  I laughed out loud while reading this article about the "hard life" of toddlers.  It includes valid and important points that I should remember while I'm watching Lillie lay on the floor screaming because she doesn't want to come inside our new home.  

Check it out- it is hilarious.   
"What if you sat down to read the newspaper when suddenly — out of nowhere — some giant swooped down and plopped you in front of a pile of plastic blocks? You’d holler your tush off."  
Why Being a Toddler is Hard: The real reason for those tantrums and meltdowns By Melissa Sher

And just for a little eye candy... here is a photo of Lillie (taken April 10) in one of my childhood dresses.  Don't you know Mimi's heart just melted when she saw her...