The terrible 1s

It behooves me to highlight some non-perfect Austin moments too. In my quest to ever be self-aware, I don't want to look back on these blogs and only have the good moments on record, like everything was perfect.

Austin now has temper tantrums. And he has hit me, Hayden and the dog a bunch of times.

When I witnessed his first tantrum, probably around 13 months, I thought I was mistaken. I said no to something he was doing (likely splashing about in the dog bowl) and he put his head down on the floor. Now he does this and screams. He is not interested in heeding the word "no," if he has a better plan in mind.

Of course, I immediately googled this to figure out why it was happening so early. It turns out it is right on time. Kids Austin's age have temper tantrums. So already at his young age, I've got to outsmart these crazy movements: refusing to be put down, letting his entire body go limp, letting his entire body go rigid, screaming without consolation, etc.

He hit me for the first time last week and I tried to pretend he didn't do it. When it happened again, I looked him deep in the eyes and implored him to stop. "No, Austin." When he did it again, I half begged and half reasoned, "Austin, you are hurting mommy." Then I saw a look in his eyes I have seen many times in another kid we know around the same again. Complete, almost vacant disdain. I had not reached him.

So now I simultaneously google remedies and worry that spoiled brat behavior has become irreversible and entrenched. I am reminded of my previously sunny blogs about milestones and am reminded that this too is a milestone. Temper tantrums are about asserting independence and authority, as well as understanding attachment and affection. Hitting and tantrums are also about frustration in an inability to communicate. So, we understand and we correct and he learns. He is growing and this too is part of it.