So we survived the great Trek!

The trip there was done with minimal drama, boys slept most of the way, and were easily entertained with books and toys. Check out billy.gorilly.com for some awesome road trip activities.

It was very touching spending time with my brother. Selfishly, deep down I had hoped that there was a slight possibility that maybe he wasn’t adjusting so well, that maybe he would have to return to good old Durbs. But he is doing marvellously…adapted to living the bachelor life, and even zipping through the back roads to avoid the notorious joburg traffic.

We are now back to the world of tantrums and toiling with discipline!

Everyone tells me these are the trying years, and boy are they right. The boys are battling to show their independence, and at the same time assert themselves, and its such a task to maintain some form of discipline whilst still growing their confidence.

I mean really, where do you draw the line ? I see some parents that remain so calm and unabated whilst their children just throw hissy fits. Me, on the other hand, just candle hande the drama. I just get so frustrated and flustered and end up shouting. Let me tell you, this has only a worsening effect on a screaming toddler.

I know that these tantrums are quite normal for this age, but my worry is that they don’t grow out of it, and we end up with two spoilt brats….u know the kids that other mums, just turn the noses up to….their parents obviously taught their kids no discipline!

But im trying, I really am…like this morning, Sam insists he wants cake…..at 5am! Seriously?!

So I tried the calm, reasoning approach ‘Sam, mum doesn’t have any cake, and all the shops are closed this early, so we will get some when they open a little late’.  ‘ NOOOOOOO…I want cake now’, he wailed….which proceeded to turn into a screech then full blown hysteria. By this time, he had woken up his brother,(who is not a morning person by any means). So now there were 2 grumpy children, one of which was crying as if he was being beaten to death. Eventually I decided to try and wait this one out…no reaction from me, and he carried on and on and on. I’ve got to give the kid points for perseverance!  He cried for almost 3 minutes, until eventually it turned into sobs.

And where was dad u ask? Calmly sitting alongside me….that is, until he couldn’t take it anymore, and picked up Sam and took him to another room. I really am thankful for him! D can just sense when I’m almost reaching that breaking point….and comes in to save the day!