Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Exasperated by DD's insatiable curiosity

Lol!

Yes our dd is the same way; literally two days after I read about Austin's ds getting out the car seat on this forum, our dd decided this is her new favorite trick. I had to pull over at the firestation and tell her I was going to have the fireman tell her why this is bad. She got back in but it has repeated; I am taking a step back and putting her in a more baby-type seat now.
She is constantly finding new things like that to drive me crazy with and I am having trouble finding games which are amusing to her.

She wants to do most things on her own, including brushing teeth so that is a big drag when I know she won't really get it quite right. Otoh, she has gotten really good at a lot of things.
She is not a listener unfortunately; not a sitter; not a hands-off learner.

I too used a harness with ds when I would go through airports where I needed to be able to think about something other than him. He asked me if he ever got out of the carseat and I said not that I remembered, but he was really, really, really, really reeeaaaallly a handful. I remember people asking about how our living room was set up when he was 1-ish; it was decorated kind of 'early fort knox'.

Okay, thank you all, I'm feeling much better reading these posts.

We got the leash as soon as DD could stand. It's disguised as a monkey backpack and, like the dog with his leash (!) DD gets excited when we put it on her because it means a public outing. She LOVES the monkey.

What's an automatic consequence? A swat? An Exit Stage Left?

I suppose that sounds ominous, especially with my comments realted to roadkill! Our "automatic consequences" mean consequences without warning. For minor infractions, I will count to 5 until he stops or give a warning. But when he dose one of the evil deeds (like not being safe in the road, or kicking me, which for some reason he's started doing), he will automatically lose a privelege such as bedtimes books or computer time. And he can't earn them back. (Sometimes i'll allow earning back of bedtime books for minor infractions, because i'm a softie.)

My DD runs me ragged, too. Sometimes I really despise the fact my DB had a baby 3 weeks after DD was born, because you can't help but compare them. Of course their baby is laid back, easy to manage, eats anything you put in front of her, etc. Then there's my DD who constantly needs mental stimulation, is high maintenance about nap times, is a picky eater, etc.
It makes me look like this horrible parent who can't manage my own child.

OTOH, I think those "easy" kids with super laid-back personalities can be a bit boring. Easy, yes, but not a whole lot of fun. For instance, my DD says the funniest things and has a great sense of humor while her same-age cousin just looks at you with this blank faraway stare, babbles something incoherently and continues playing with her princesses.

I can empathise sea-blue, but I'm not sure it gets better In the past few weeks, I feel like I'm parenting 24 hrs a day. The questions don't stop! It's so exhausting and I'm absolutely frazzled. I've had everything from why is the sky blue, why are dogs called dogs, how did snakes get their name, why is my quartz rock pink, etc. and then my favourite at 2.24am this morning... why are there so many tricky questions in my mind? *sigh* I know it's only a phase, but I'm personally looking forward to this bout of intensity being over. My adrenels are on overload... jojo

Hoosier, this is totally it. The problem is me. I just worry other people think I am a bad mom who can't discipline my child and just let her run wild.

DH and I agree, our DD has a huge, boisterous personality and we love it.

Jojo, if I am going to field those questions I'm going directly to the internet with them to research the answers. Thank God for the internet.

ITA. As a parent to a DD5 and a DS7, it can be exhausting and draining. Case in point, we were at a large party the other night with several other children and parents and DD7 wanted to play the guessing game with me! He didn't want to play with any of the other children, several of whom were his friends. Sigh... Anytime we have a spare minute of downtime, it has to involve a game for DD and DS. Unfortunately, both are so competitive with one another that they can't play with each other and require a parent to referee. It used to be fun to play these games while driving them around but now they demand it all the time - even on quick trips to the grocery store. Sometimes, I just need a little peace and quiet to think and drive. It can get stressful -and- noisy! This has been going on for several years, at least 5... The upside is that if they both have a good book, they can entertain themselves until they are finished with it. Just venting. No real advice. Thanks for letting me...

This reminds me of the discussion of the 'what to expect' books and whether they could really be accurate on milestones.
As far as curiosity, experimenting and just plain needing more, I used to literally think people were just failing to mention the same sorts of things we were experiencing with ds.

Chris, do you mean you used to think people experienced the same difficulties but just kept it to themselves? Or that your kids are highly experimental and that wasn't reflected in milestones?

Have you ever had well meaning (usually childless) people explain to you that you simply need to distract your child to control them? They are suggesting a crayon and a piece of paper or a favorite toy. They don't understand those quaint things fail to engage this wee creature who craves newness.

I feel like every day I have to wake up and think, Now how will I keep her occupied today? I call her The Empress. LOL

St. Pauli - thanks for the consequences explanation. I didn't really think you meant a swat.

Mew, somehow I missed your post! DD is now 23 m.o. as of yesterday, so we have nearly the same little rascal. Any and all words of wisdom are welcomed!