The Terribles

    Before I had kids I could not grasp what Terrible Two's and Three's were. Sure I had heard of them, who hasn't, but I had no idea what it entailed.  To me it just meant inappropriate tantrums in public.  I miss the blissful ignorance.  At that time I knew that when it happened to my children I would handle it better than all those mothers I have seen in the past.  Sometimes I think I do better and sometimes I think I do worse, I guess that's what learning as we go is all about.
   With my fist son, Cade, he started acting up at 11 months.  I took him to the doctor convinced it was because he was sick.  Nope, I just got an early bloomer.  It seems to be that the earlier they start the longer it lasts and his lasted till 3 1/2.  Now if anyone knows me by 3 1/2 I had 3 kids and dealing with a Terrible child was a lot to handle.  I thought I was lucky too because Cam, my two year old, didn't seem to be showing any signs of the Terribles.  I would actually brag and tell everyone that he was my angel child.  I still feel to this day a sense of loss  wondering where my angel went to because Cam was a Terrible 3 child. 
    Now let me differentiate between Terrible 2 and Terrible 3.  The Terrible 2's start early, so more accurately they should be named the Terrible 1's.  These are the tantrums you tend to see in public.  There is no reason to them and the best thing to do is let them do it and walk away while they are having them.  You can't reason with them, so nothing you say is getting to their little brains.  I was lucky to get 3 Terrible 2 children.  Yes, lucky.  The Terrible 3's are like watching Linda Blair in Exorcist.  Your baby was so sweet and easy and then the devil takes over.  They tell you that they hate you, don't love you, want to live with another family, roll their eyes, give attitude, talk back, lie and steal.  I'm sure there are more, but this is what I have had.
   My sweet baby Cam is a Terrible 3 and still going.  He has been possessed and almost everyday I ask him when is the angel coming back.  He cries and has tantrums, but 3 year olds can process and use their brains, so their tantrums are about the hurts that they feel you have done to them.  It's like having a pubescent teenager.  Gaw, I hope this is it and I don't have a crazy teen too, because I might have to move out.  There is an end to the horror.  Cam is starting to show signs of his former sweet self, though he still tries to lie and steal (don't get me started on the Walmart incident) he's become more honest and admits to it.  That could have something to do with his punishments being a lot less severe when he tells us the truth.  He also still has tantrums, but they don't last as long and he's easier to talk down before it gets too bad.  Since he's 4 1/2 I'm hoping by Christmas it will be better. 
   As for Kellen he has been a Terrible 2 child and is already starting to come out of it.  He'll be 3 1/2 in January and I'm guessing it will be so much better by then.  He was also a pretty good Terrible 2.  He started right before Kolin was born and I feared a new baby and a Terrible.  Maybe it's my experience with dealing with two Terrible kids already, but I really think his personality as a lover has helped him get through his Terribles better an any of the rest of my kids.  Kellen wants to love people and be happy.  He loves hugs and kisses and is such a cuddle bug.  Even when he is having a tantrum he wants to be held.
   Where Kolin is concerned he is a Terrible 2 also, but he is a exact replica of Cade the only difference is his height and weight.  If you've ever had a 30 pound, 33 inch baby throw themselves backwards while you're holding them it can get dangerous.  I have had more hurt noses and fat lips with Kolin then all my others combined.  I must say I am not looking forward to the next 2 years of his fits, but anything beats a Terrible 3.