Testing the boundaries

You know when someone really pisses you off how you want to punch them in the face?

Well you really can’t do that with a child (not that I want to either, it’s just for the benefit of description purposes).

Instead you find yourself in a position where it’s more like take a deep breath, count to three and try not to lose your temper.

Boundaries are being pushed and limits are being stretched further than they should in our house right now.

For Miss Izzie there appears to be a big fascination with power point/light switches, the Foxtel box, surround sound system, the oven and the dishwasher at the moment.

There’s a bit of a trend there: they all have on/off buttons or switches.

And she’s clicked as to how they all work….and how much it annoys mummy and daddy.

The worst part: once you make a move to stop her and she runs away because she knows she’s done something wrong.

It’s a cycle that’s on repeat several times of day, every single day!

But it doesn’t end there.

We’ve also reached the point where a nappy change in our house surely must sound like a murder is taking place to our neighbours.

The screams and crying certainly must paint that picture but honestly I can’t imagine sitting in a dirty nappy is much fun!

And then there’s the tantrums, much like the world is ending.

There are tears (real ones, shocking I know!) just because she can’t have some of my drink or I say “no” to food (chocolate, MINE I might point out) when she’s just eaten.

I’ve come to the conclusion that we can say “no” until we’re blue in the face because the translation to Izzie obviously sounds very much like “yes”.

I’ve heard from a few parents “it’s just a phase, it’ll pass” or “she’s learning”.

But as I often hear these things in relation to children, there’s that seed of doubt that questions whether it is true or not.

Maybe I’ve reached the end of my tether (no doubt I do some days) or maybe once again it’s all part and parcel of the fun that is parenting.

It’s hard to remember that when you’re saying “no” for what feels like the billionth time in one day or chasing your toddler away from buttons and switches.

To those who aren’t yet parents and take the time to read my blog….firstly, thank you, you must really like me…and secondly I’m not doing a very good job of painting parenting in a good light am I?!

At the end of the day all the bad stuff seems to disappear when you get a cuddle, a cute smile or even hear them say “mummy” (finally!) or “daddy”.

In all honesty it can be a shit (yes in more ways than one) job but it is the best and most rewarding thing you will ever do.

What can I say, we had a fairly good day today!

Now excuse me while I go flick all the power points and light switches back off again…..