Favorite Pastime – Throwing a Tantrum
I know it’s going to happen some time. Afterall, just about 99% of kids around the world have a meltdown.
But I never expected it to happen at six months old! Waaaaaah.
See his feet? Yeah, major tantrum. He was stiffening up and locking his feet and hands as if he’d want to violently kick and punch somebody but can’t because he’s not strong enough … which leads to worse meltdown episodes.
The little tyrant gets frustrated because he can’t move far from where he sits. He’d lunge and fall over, he’d get bored playing with his piggly wiggly and his chicken friend and would want to be where the action is [i.e., mommy's laptop] but no matter how much he pushes his butt up he’s not going anywhere. Next thing you know he’s screaming the house down and making mommy crazy.
Don’t mistake me, this baby knows how to put on a tantrum and how to just cry because mommy’s not around. When he’s tired or feeling anxiety separation or plain overwhelmed he screams then he cries then he whimpers and you know it’s real. But when he puts on a tantrum, he screams and screams and STOPS to look at you and then he does it all over.
Doctors say you can never spoil a baby until he’s six months old. They never said that the minute the imp turned six months he’d turn into a brat overnight!
I know all about time out and teaching 1-year old babies who’s the boss but how can you really punish a six month old baby who’s best argument would be “ge ge, poop poop ?!”
At this point, the only way I can make him stop is to pick him up and hug him and place him in his swing. Right next to mommy.
2