The week leading up to Christmas has been tumultous for Ethan. The storm of feelings inside that kid must be wild indeed. He's tired, a little sick, and totally out of sorts with me being home again after a few weeks back at school. He is often begging to cuddle and kiss Sam, he loves to dance and bounce and make silly faces to make Sam laugh, and he whispers into his ear how much he loves him. He then proceeds to kick, pinch and push baby bro to the ground. We're also back at full force tantrums. Recently Ethan has figured out some new ways to show his anger with us and is throwing these moves into his tantrums with abandon: swearing and slapping and spitting in our faces. Nothing quite puts the peaceful parenting attitude to the test like that.
In the midst of this insanity, Ethan and I got out of the house for a little one-on-one time today. We went "sledding" (scooting downhill over grass dusted with snow), shoveled (to protect the castle from invaders, of course), had a little sweet treat and clamored around our local giant metal spider. For a brief moment, we had smiles, no whining and minimal kicking mama in the face. I hope that filling his cup with love and fun and appreciation, and focused attention without little Sam sneaking into the picture, helps calm him for a time.
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