It has been a busy October, filled with many of the above -- mostly from my children, but a few from me too.
Peanut is stubborn and challenging, but usually we can predict the things she'll be stubborn about or challenge us on. A couple of weeks ago, though, Peanut incited a battle royale against me, the likes of which I've never seen from her. She wouldn't do what I said. Ever. She wouldn't stay in her bed or room at naptime or bedtime (this, from the kid who just hits the "easy" button when she wants to sleep). And she cried about practically everything.
I fought and muddled through all these battles -- sometimes even calling L during the day for moral support while I dealt with this Grumpus. Each time, I explained it away with, "Well, she went to bed a little late last night..." or some other reason.
Finally, one day, as I was hashing it out with her, I was thinking, "This is so far beyond normal for her. She's acting more like she doesn't feel good..." Wait! That had to be it. She didn't feel good. You know when you see your kid cross the line into an abyss of grumpy that rarely happens, and you suddenly have an impulse to feel his or her forehead? It was like that. Only her forehead was cool.
What could this invisible force be? She seems extra tired, her nose is a little runny. Aha, allergies. One Children's Claritin that night before bed, and what a difference a day (and a drug) makes! I am so glad to have my sweetly stubborn little Peanut back.
