As Chuck D said, bring the noise
Tacy: I know how to get five dollars from Daddy.
Me: Oh really? How’s that?
T: If all three kids don’t cry for an entire day, he’ll give us each five dollars.
Me: Interesting.
T: Of course it probably won’t happen.
Me: You’re probably right.
——————————
Would you believe that my three year-old cries more than my two month-old? And that my almost-six year-old isn’t far behind?
You might believe that, but you wouldn’t believe the ridiculous things that the two girls fight over. Last night it was a carrot. They both reached into the bag of baby carrots at the same time, and Tacy grabbed the carrot that CJ wanted - or so the story goes. I don’t even get up to police the situation anymore unless I hear the distinctive sound of a child in pain, and sometimes even that can be faked surprisingly well.
The worst episodes of screaming and crying occur in the bathtub. They insist on bathing together in the master bath tub, but inevitably the fun ends when someone drinks someone else’s teacup of bath water, or someone lies down in the tub and someone else tries to lie down too. Then they push and shove each other until at least five gallons of water end up on the floor. Sometimes we’ll hear cries of pain when they’re in the tub, but that just means someone has soap in her eyes. Dump a cup of water over your head - you’ll be fine.
When I was Tacy’s age, my mother told me that I’d better stop pushing around my younger brother, because it wouldn’t be long before he was bigger than me. She was right; I remember one afternoon in fifth grade when I had a friend over and so did he, the four of us ended up beating the snot out of one another. I think the last time that he and I physically fought was when we were both in high school, and I was the clear loser.
Obviously I can’t use that argument on Tacy and CJ, and I shudder at the whole “You’re sisters! You should love each other!” line of reasoning. Yes, I hope they do love each other, but being sisters doesn’t guarantee anything. And their love for each other really isn’t in question; it’s a matter of their tolerance for chaos versus mine. Again, I’m the clear loser here.
I do wonder what it will be like when Oliver is mobile and verbal. Will he mix it up the way his sisters do, or will he be removed from the chaos due to his age and gender difference?
There is one thing I’m sure of: Those five dollar bills are safe in Kyle’s wallet for the foreseeable future.
Cry? WHO ME?
——————————
I’ve reached the end of my Who’s Who Among Presidential Candidates series. More op-ed pieces to come, for which I’m sure all three contenders will provide good fodder.
A baby’s place is in the house…or is it?
And I keep forgetting to show some love to Guy Kawasaki, which is a real crime considering the love he showed me by including mothergoosemouse on his Ultimate Mommy Blog List. On his fabulous Alltop.com conglomeration of information, not only are parenting blogs represented, but he’s also got links to all sorts of other sites you ought to check out - both for news and for fun. Plus, he’s the guest editor at sk*rt this week. This is one Guy you ought to get to know!
March 26th, 2008 at 5:12 am
My sister and I, three years apart just like your girls, fought constantly. Knock down, drag out fights. My mom generally didn’t intervene unless someone was actually injured.
We are very close now. We still have very different personalities, and sometimes there is still friction. But we’ve learned how not to push each other’s buttons - after years of setting out to do just that, we just started doing the opposite.
Our younger brother, on the other hand, stayed right out of it. And still does, to this day - he just sits in the corner and laughs at us when we get together for family things.
Your girls will be fine. Just buy some earplugs.
Hannah’s last blog post..what’s that glowing orb?
March 26th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Oh he’s beautiful!
And I have a six year old boy and a three year old girl who would like nothing better than to aggravate the living snot out of each other, and I can EMPATHIZE.
daysgoby’s last blog post..birth carnival post
March 26th, 2008 at 6:19 am
What a handsome boy!
My kids fight like that too. It makes my head want to explode. But they also are great friends, which is why they fight so much I think.
We’ve told my daughter to be careful that K will be bigger than her one day. So far he’s not, but he can still get some good licks in.
Heather’s last blog post..Easter Addiction and other problems
March 26th, 2008 at 6:21 am
J, that smile on Oliver’s face just put the biggest warmest grin on mine. And after the week (well month) I’ve had, that’s saying something. FWIW, I was the oldest of three, sister younger by 4 1/2 yrs and brother by 5 1/2……and little brother got the snot kicked out of him by the two of us many many times….. plus the time(s) we dressed him up as a girl… Guy turned out alright though.
christina/MPPs Mom’s last blog post..BIG NEWS - on the way
March 26th, 2008 at 6:28 am
First thing first - Oliver is so adorable. OK, now I have to say thank you for this post. Last year I asked a good friend, whose oldest is 2 years older than mine, at what age do kids not cry every day. My kids were 2 and 4 at the time. She said, I don’t know - mine don’t cry like yours do. I was pretty offended. My kids don’t cry all day every day. But tears are definitely shed at least once per day. What is normal?
March 26th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Oh the CUTE!
From what I remember as one of three kids, there was a lot of two against one that went on, but alliances constantly shifted. Girls against boy; oldests against youngest; youngests against older … you get the idea.
mayberry’s last blog post..Togetherness Tour ‘08
March 26th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I totally believe it. These days my 7 y.o. daughter is the whiniest, most likely to cry child I’ve ever seen and I don’t know why! She and her little sister are into it about stupid stuff constantly, I am ready to take a time out myself.
Oliver is a cutie!
MamaMaven’s last blog post..Maven Says: Lost In Space
March 26th, 2008 at 7:09 am
My kids don’t cry much but the noise of them even when they are being friendly with each other is astounding! My girls definitely bicker more than any of my other kids in any combination. I have no idea why that is, and have no idea what I could do to make it different. Hopefully they will grow up to be friends as well as sisters!
Oliver is such a beautiful baby!
tori’s last blog post..My Scar Shows How Strong I Am
March 26th, 2008 at 7:26 am
as the oldest of 4, the youngest of which was the only boy, i can answer that question–he will be the toy. he will be dressed up as a girl, kind of like a giant barbie. in other words, he will become the toy they fight over.
Mitzi’s last blog post..And Your Little Dog, Too
March 26th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Goodness, Oliver is SO adorable!!
Does it help to know that my sister and I used to bicker all the time, but we’ve been best friends as grown ups? Or is that too long off to help at all?
caramama’s last blog post..Tourists, Nerds and Kids
March 26th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Good God Almighty, he is a cutie pie.
And I totally believe the crying thing. I’m not looking forward to the inevitable fights and resulting headaches having two girls will bring.
Chicky Chicky Baby’s last blog post..So you can take that cookie and stick it up your, Yeah! Stick it up your, Yeah!
March 26th, 2008 at 10:19 am
OMG - I just sniffed the screen because he looks sooo delightfully babyish. Mmmmmmm babyish.
Anyhow, my sister is six years older and that span made for less fighting IMO.
motherbumper’s last blog post..I look good in gold
March 26th, 2008 at 11:16 am
My three year old was crying this morning because I made her wear pants.
OMG! The horror of PANTS!
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Residency
March 26th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I grew up in a 3 bedroom rowhome with my seven (7!!) siblings. I have 5 older brothers, 1 younger sister & 1 younger brother. With 10 people, 2 dogs, & at least 1 cat you HAD to get along. My sister & I used to fight & bicker a lot, but we never syayed mad at each other.
Maggie & Will push each others buttons at every opportunity. If Will is playing with his fire truck, Maggie has to try to play with it. If Maggie is coloring, Will is taking her crayons.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
The crying is CRAZY isn’t it?
When. Does. It. Stop?
Really. At some age it must die down?
the mama bird diaries’s last blog post..my so-called middle aged quest to do it all
March 26th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Both of my kids (3 and 5) cry way more now than they did at age 2 and under. My 3 year old maybe 100% more, I’m not kidding. He was the easiest baby in the entire world. But, these 3 year old tantrums and the like, may be the death of me. Good luck and if you find a magic cure, let me know…in the meantime, our $5 are safe too.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
He is gorgeous! What a smile!
And, yes, the 20 month old boy now mixes it up with the sisters. One minute they are all chasing each other, the next minute, the baby is ticked off at the 6yo and chomping on her arm.
Wheeeeee!
March 26th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
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March 26th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Oh! What a cutie!
Let me say I feel your pain! I have a 3 yr old son & I have been told the 3’s are the new 2’s! Believe it or not my soon to be 16 yr old daughter fights more with my 3 yr old than she does with her older brother *sigh*… Sending quiet vibes your way:)
March 27th, 2008 at 10:25 am
First: That’s a great picture. Such a sweetie.
Ugh. The sibling fights. I use this line with them: Brothers are forever. You guys need to figure out how to get along because you’re going to be brothers for the rest of your life.
tracey’s last blog post..Another day in my life
March 27th, 2008 at 11:39 am
My sweet daughter has learned that crying will get her brother yelled at. She uses that tool well. Although he did ‘accidently’ push her down the stair this morning. . .those tears were real.
The best argument thus far between the two has been “He’s looking out my window” in the car. Please.
And OMFG, Oliver just might be the cutest baby EVER!!!
March 27th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
My parents used to pull that “leave your little brother alone or else he’ll get bigger than you and fight back” crap. And I was like “yeah right, whatever”. And then one day I called my mom’s house and some MAN answered the phone. Some MAN who was my little brother and then the next time I saw him he was - and I kid you not - 6′3″ 300+ lbs. So now that he makes me look like a midget I try to be a little more gentle towards him.
Heather B.’s last blog post..No more sauce
March 27th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
The baby gets 5 bucks for just being so darn adorable.
Karen’s last blog post..Burning Questions Answered - Part One
April 4th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
He’s just TASTY.
TNG’s last blog post..Breaking News!
April 8th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I remember a few years ago, my daughters having a heated battle in the backseat over a dirty Starbucks napkin.
One of my favorite lines came out of that one. My husband pulled the car over, and yelled, “Alright, that’s it - I get the dirty napkin.”
sweatpantsmom’s last blog post..Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This