Watering Cans

Wow, you don’t do a blog post for almost two weeks and suddenly the whole Blogger user interface changes on you. What’s up with that?

Lately I've been wondering which kid is the two year old in our house and which one is the five year old. We’re working on sharing with your sibling, not taking something just because you want it and not yelling at each other. Except we seem to be working on it with the child who I thought would have the concept somewhat down by now.

Yesterday was a hot one around these parts. After dinner Teddy went outside and of course some sort of water play was desired. I grabbed our big green watering can and the little man busied himself with watering our new azaleas (and soaking himself in the process). When Katherine came out you can guess the first thing she set her sights on. That watering can was suddenly a hot commodity. And in her mind it was time for her to have a turn with it and the only fitting way to acquire said watering can was to snatch it right out of her little brother's hands. You would think that it would be Teddy we would have a hard time getting across the concept of sharing because let’s face it, two year olds aren’t even aware that the term “share” is in the English vocabulary. But Katherine has a mindset around the house lately that if she wants it, it’s hers. No matter if someone else is using it (or if it isn't even hers to begin with), once she requests a turn, the item must be relinquished immediately and her turn begins as soon as she says so. Oh and her turn lasts as long as she wants it to. And if she doesn’t get her way, my GOD the whining and crying and kicking and screaming and fussing and failing on the floor (or ground in this case) that ensues because life is SO UNFAIR and you’re not bowing to my commands! Each and every time it happens I’m floored because…seriously?!?!?!...how old are we right now? I know the look I give her doesn’t help matters in her eyes because I am sure it is a look of surprise and disgust at the behavior.

So anyways back to the watering can. By this point Katherine had pretty much snatched it away from Teddy and the poor guy was just standing there not sure what to do but knowing that he didn’t feel all that good about the situation. I figured I would save the day by grabbing our other watering can, the one under the kitchen sink for house plants (we have one house plant). It was smaller and perfect for Teddy. Two kids, two watering cans…there…done. So off I went, grabbed it, filled it and offered it to Teddy who happily went back to his watering activities. Take a guess at what Katherine’s reaction was. Yup. That green can got tossed aside without even a passing thought, suddenly this one was the hot commodity (really???? We’re talking about a bunch of old watering cans here). I held firm. As far as I was concerned Teddy’s was off limits; she would have to use the green watering can that she wanted so badly only moments before that she felt the need to take it from him. You made your bed sweetie, now time to lie in it (I didn’t say that but I was thinking it…cruel of me?). Cue meltdown in 5…4…3…2…1…

The funniest line? “That watering can is MINE…I’ve had it FOREVER!!!!!!” Ok: 1. Seeing as we have only ONE house plant and I had to dig it out from the way back of the kitchen cabinet, I’m fairly sure this is the first time you’ve seen it. 2. Um yeah, Mommy purchased that watering can when I was in HIGH SCHOOL. How it’s still around, I have no idea, but I think if anyone had a right to ownership to the thing it would be ME. You need a better definition of FOREVER.

Truthfully, I’ve had it with this type of behavior around the house. She doesn’t act like that in public, at school, or with other family (that we know of). I’m sure in her perspective we’re always reprimanding her (at least I FEEL like I’m always reprimanding her) instead of her brother because…well…her brother doesn’t seem to be behaving like this lately. This is surprising, because I would expect that behavior out of him and not her. Consistency is one of the hardest things about being a parent but Ted and I are trying our best to hold the party line, we aren’t putting up with bratty (there I said it) behavior like that. I know in a lot sibling rivalry instances its best not to interfere and let them work it out but I’m not going to stand there while she is being downright rude to her brother. Or to us. But sometimes a feel like all it’s doing is turning me into a screaming maniac; I need a more effective technique.  What really gets her is when I tell her that Teddy is acting older than her.

Of course it could always be worse…can we see how in a few years, he is just going to up and wallop her when she tries to pull that behavior? Oy, that will be a whole new situation to deal with.