The Half Years
When Declan turned two, we held our breath. Everyone knows about the famous Terrible Two's right? But they didn't come. Until two and a half. Then three came and righted the ship again. Until three and a half. Which, upon further investigation, is a well-kept secret of evilocity amongst rugrats, a second Terrible Two if you will. Oh yes, Three and a Half had us on our toes. And I started reading, books, blogs, forums - we were not alone.
I found something overarching in all those books and reference material. Half years suck. OK, I am paraphrasing, but the general consensus was that at the beginning of a year, kids feel all grown up, are enjoying their "big kidness" and are willing to act a little more human for a while as they adjust to being whatever age they just turned.
But as they approach the half year, they get bored, want to stretch their wings, push the limits, and basically be the little punks they are wired to be. I mean, kids will be kids, right?
This Half Year thing has certainly held true for us. Beginning of 4? Absolute joy. Beginning of 5? Starting to see maturity and hold real conversations.
These past few weeks since he's been 5.5? WHINE WHINE WHINE-ITY WHINE! BABY TALK! MORE WHINING! SELFISHNESS! NEARLY FALLING ON THE FLOOR - IN. A. TANTRUM.
WHAT THE HELL???
OK. I just had an online tantrum there myself. Sorry.
But is his behavior just wired into the half birthday, or is it the fact that it falls smack dab on Spring Break, Easter, the break in routine, the excess of candy and general spazziness of Spring?
Either way, I am holding my breath for it to be over.
I found something overarching in all those books and reference material. Half years suck. OK, I am paraphrasing, but the general consensus was that at the beginning of a year, kids feel all grown up, are enjoying their "big kidness" and are willing to act a little more human for a while as they adjust to being whatever age they just turned.
But as they approach the half year, they get bored, want to stretch their wings, push the limits, and basically be the little punks they are wired to be. I mean, kids will be kids, right?
This Half Year thing has certainly held true for us. Beginning of 4? Absolute joy. Beginning of 5? Starting to see maturity and hold real conversations.
These past few weeks since he's been 5.5? WHINE WHINE WHINE-ITY WHINE! BABY TALK! MORE WHINING! SELFISHNESS! NEARLY FALLING ON THE FLOOR - IN. A. TANTRUM.
WHAT THE HELL???
OK. I just had an online tantrum there myself. Sorry.
But is his behavior just wired into the half birthday, or is it the fact that it falls smack dab on Spring Break, Easter, the break in routine, the excess of candy and general spazziness of Spring?
Either way, I am holding my breath for it to be over.
32 Comments:
Oh yes, yes! The Poo is just like that. Only for her, it is usually the quarter-years - one-quarter, three-quarters. She'll be three and three-quarters when Shaggy is born. Wheeee!
my son is 6.5. I'm considering picking up a drug habit.
Amen, sister.
See when you have more than one you're so damned tired that you barely notice.
Mamma - LOL!!!
HEY! That's what is wrong with my punk! He's 7.5! Thanks Aimee! I can quit my therapist now.
I can't wait for 8.
This is one "problem" I can't relate to...no kids here. I'm sure the good outweighs the aggravating though!
No, it's not spring break, it's the half year. My oldest will be 7 in a few weeks, and he is totally calm right now. His younger brother will be 4 in July and is currently in the throes of 3 and a half-hood. This is why I bought 6 bottles of wine the other day. LOL!
Love kids but this is why I have a dog. I know me and I know that I have trouble with being patient. I would not want to put a kid through MY tantrums. =)
2.5 Thinks he rules the world. Doesn't need to sleep. Can hit people on the head with his baseball bat and get away with it. Not. On. My. Watch.
I don't know if it's the half year or spring, but my almost but not quite five and a half year old cried and whined for half an hour this morning because of a "bump" in his sock. Good Lord I thought after five we were done with tantrums..
Take it from someone who understand....I am 35 1/2.....and I WAAA WAAA WAAA!!! Falling on the floor!! Screaming!!! ME WANT!! ME WANT!!!
It's the half year. No question. I've had it with all 3 of them. Even my 17 year old is more trouble at the half year. Ugh.
Hmmm...I am wondering if I can get away with throwing a tantrum at my half-year mark. Is there an age limit on this?
Scott and Sizzle, you guys made me laugh!
Oh, we have the half birthday thing here too!!!!
You know, they can hardly count. Maybe we should make up new whole numbers and shove 'em in between the existing ones.
"You're 3 years old!"
(Six months pass...)
"You're BLAGORTY years old!"
Then, at 4.5, 5.5, etc., we stick in "OBALORTY" and "PERIKORTY" and so on. I mean, their math will suck, but at least we'll have some peace!
I once, because I am the suckiest mother alive, had a 7 1/2 birthday party for my kid after skipping the 7 party. It landed right in the middle of October, when the whole world sucks in kid-standards.
This was the smartest thing I have ever done. It was AWESOME.
Both Doodaddy and Mr. Lady - YOU ARE ON TO SOMETHING. Let's combine your ideas.
I don't know if statistically that's right or not (I think we read the same book!) but I can tell you that 6.5 and 3.5? Are collectively KICKING MY ASS.
Three from start to finish was hell!
At 7 1/2 you get lip. A lot of lip and a lot of "You are not the boss of me."
Turns out I am my mother... ack!
This is all so true!! OH MY!
I drink evening cocktails so I can ignore the fights and temper tantrums from my girls. Not healthy but I'm okay with it.
BTDT! If it's any consolation the half-year tantrums wane to only several weeks and occassional outbursts after the age of 6. :)
We have been lucky and avoided this!
Oh, yah. I am not fond of the half years AT ALL.
I hear your wisdom grasshopper - now I know what to look forward to!
It's about time someone explained why I throw a tantrum every May 4th! Yikes, my half birthday is just over a month away. Watch out, peoples, watch out...
Jane, Pinks & Blues
I totally agree. Half years SUCK.
I have found myself pondering the half years many a time also . . . they can be blamed for tons of misbehaviors in our house!
My son just turned 2 1/2 and is suddenly AWFUL! This totally explains it and leaves me cowering in a corner in fear of many half years to come.
McKenna is 5.5 and she is a holy terror. This morning she got into a foot-stomping tantrum and grabbed her mother's wrist to stop her brushing her hair. She's sassy, mouthy, and fiery.
And my son Owen the other day got mad at his sister and said to her "You're driving me nuts! I'm going to kick your ass!" I've never used that phrase, so naturally I blame my in-laws.
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