I realize whining and crying are par for the course for two year olds. But it is a hard adjustment when we’ve made it through three-quarters of this stage with nary a peep. I mean this is was the child who proclaimed, “Little Dude happy, mommy. Little Dude happy,” each and every day. This is the child who transitions from one developmental stage to the next and hits milestones as if he’s a zen master. This is the child who simply woke up one morning and decided he was done with diapers and literally potty trained himself within a week.

Now, he not only deservedly thinks he’s a big boy (hey, he’s out of diapers so I gotta give him that one), but he mistakenly thinks he’s “older” and can demand what he wants. Now! Oh, and get this, he thinks that he never has to listen.

Well, I’ve got news….

5, 4, 3, 3, 1....meltdown!

But, ack, nothing seems to dissuade him of this notion. So, he melodramatically cries and cries and cries some more when he doesn’t get those extra animal crackers, when he has to get dressed because he can’t wear his birthday suit to school, or when he can’t use up the last drops of the Colorado River to water our grass. Even when the waterworks go on for 30-plus minutes, I really make a great effort to respond neutrally and consistently to these events. I don’t engage in game playing. I get down on his level and explain the limit. And I don't do an about face even when my efforts seem in vain. Yet, I still feel the situation is out of control.

No, he isn’t starved for sleep, food, or attention. He is encouraged to be independent. He lives with very few firm household rules and has the freedom to do what he wants within those acceptable boundaries. When we have quiet, cool moments we discuss what happened to help him better understand and label his feelings. But still, there are tantrums.

Despite my dedication to positive parenting techniques, I gotta admit that I am going crazy. I really, truly want the tantrums to occur less frequently, especially because most are in the midst of our morning routine. I really feel like we start the day on the wrong foot. So, I’m tempted to simply send him to his room (or send me to mine!) and shut the door until he figures out how to calm down on his own. Insensitive? Perhaps. But sanity saving? Most definitely.

To those of you who have been here and done this, any advice or tricks of the mommy trade for helping us cope? Is my only hope to remember that this (common) behavior is…for now?

S.O.S.

~ The Other Sarah

I remember stressing about my speech. I wrote one draft in which I imparted all my great wisdom on success. Thankfully, I was self-aware enough at seventeen to eventually realize I didn't actually have any wisdom. Unfortunately, I realized this the night before graduation.

I rewrote my speech with hours to spare and graduation was the first time I had ever delivered it. I decided to be honest about how scared I was and address my classmates and some of what we had been through in our four years of high school. 

While there are still parts that make me cringe, I'm overall proud of my speech all these years later. Looking back it was the first time I really found my voice as a writer and truly realized how much I enjoyed writing itself.

Oh and I cry... a lot. 

So, here it is. Seventeen-year-old Sarah imparting all the wisdom she can manage as she heads off into adulthood (or as much adulthood as you face in college).

~ Sarah Stewart Holland

Ten years ago (almost to the day), my now husband graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and became a Second Lieutenant. During his years spent on active duty, I learned that it's not only the soldiers who dedicate their lives to public service but their families too. So, in remembrance of their contributions to our country this Memorial Day, I'd like to thank those who wear the uniform and their wives, partners, children, and the community of people who also heroically sacrifice.

Enjoy the holiday with your loved ones. We'll see you back here tomorrow!

~ The Other Sarah

~ Sarah Stewart Holland

The invites

As I previously mentioned, I was inspired by the us in russ and followed her lead with the play-doh tub invitations. However, I decided to change the text a bit. I created an image file and printed it on address labels AND I've created fill in the blank ones for you to print! Just click the image to download the file. 

The time cards

My favorite part of the party was watching all our little workers "clock in" by signing their names and stamping their little time card. Again, just click the image for the file. I printed four to one sheet of paper. 

The signs

For the actual party, I printed signs for every area of the factory including a welcome sign for the new recruits, a sign for the production line, research and development, and product packaging AND you've guessed it! I've included the printable files for all those as well!

The play-doh

I printed up our recipe and put cards on all the tables and in everyone's treat bag. I also bought little styrofoam containers (I think they were 4 ounces) for everyone to take their play-doh home in. Restaurant supply stores are a great place to find these for cheap. Again, I printed the image on address labels and again I've provided a free printable version for you!

That's pretty much it. I put the treats in a plain paper bag (we'll pretend it was a throw-back to paper bag lunches!) and covered the tables with cheap plastic tablecloths. The most labor intensive part of the party was the cake push pops but that's a tutorial for another day!

~ Sarah Stewart Holland