Jekyll & Hyde

I have a child that is a little like Jekyll and Hyde.  Monday, she was helpful and loving.  Did what I told her and followed directions well. She was even given back one of her Barbies (her room was cleaned out of all the toys last week for throwing a fit and refusing to clean up). No problems - it was a great day.  Thinking we had turned a corner, I was excited for Tuesday morning.  YIKES!  

Picture a blond little 4 year old lying on the floor kicking, screaming and crying when I asked her to get her clothes on for preschool.  For almost an hour, I reminded her to get dressed, gave her the choice of getting dressed & going to school or staying in her pajamas and staying home.  I did have to decide if I really meant it, when I said she would stay home.  Yes I decided, it was worth it to me to follow through and make her stay home if she didn't comply.  

Actually, you don't have to picture it, because I TOOK PICTURES of her!

Finally, about the time Aunt Leah should have been here to pick her up, Birdie decided she needed to go to the bathroom.  When she was done, I gently reminded her that if she wanted to go to school, she could just take her PJ pants off now and put on her jeans.  For some crazy reason, she complied.  After 55 minutes of crying and screaming, she stopped and got her clothes on.  I was pleased, but seething inside that she had to go through all the drama first.  

Thankfully, Aunt Leah was late getting to our house.  So Laurie was dressed, teeth brushed and hair sort of brushed by the time their car pulled up in front of the house.  

Days like this, behavior like this makes me wonder how she is feeling, if she is getting sick again. She seems ok, but she spent most of December and Christmas break sick, so who really knows.  She doesn't look good in the picture because her face was a little swollen from crying so hard for so long.

This morning, we avoided drama (for the most part) and got her out the door with minimal fussing.  Course it might have had something to do with it being Wacky Day!

Notice in the pictures of her pajamas that she actually is wearing 3 pairs of pajamas.  First, a nightgown, then a pink set of pajamas, then her Christmas pajamas (she'd taken off the green shirt because she got breakfast on it).  You have to love our crazy dresser.

Yes, We love her to pieces, but could do without all the drama!