Looks like we are on the mend … thankfully!
I had not imagined Ethan being a middle child. He was going to be my baby, forever. Then as our lives settled we changed to a new path. The path of the middle child was his destiny once Cordi was born.
My mind drifts to his third birthday, that is still a few months away. He has no friends his age. Well that is not completely true. My BFF has a daughter close to Ethan’s age, however he gravitates to her older children when they play together. He is used to playing with a five year old. So kids his age seem so young to him. Having a big and little sister has essentially stunted his socialization with kids his age.
We do attend the library once a week with kids his age for a Storytime, however he sticks really close to me that entire class. I want him to feel a little more comfortable around his peers. We started to attend a play group at the recreation centre by our house once a week. Tuesday was our first day and he loved it.
Ethan and I have been struggling with power. Being almost three means he is testing me a lot and it get really tiring. He yells and cries, keeping himself beyond reason and even comfort. It frustrates me beyond belief not to be able to cheer him up or distract him. Yet we have great days (like today) and all those feelings of frustration fade away.
He so often gets shuffled between his sisters’ needs. Cordi being totally dependent on me and Becca needing big kid stuff done. I am finally feeling like I am making time for him, making sure he feels important, special and not merely a sidekick for his sister.
On a completely unrelated note, have you ever walked by unfolded laundry so many times that it has disappeared?
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Sounds like my Kamryn. We put her into playschool at 3 and it did her a world of good, the 1st year she was pretty darn quiet while the 2nd she blossomed.
I think it’s such a common thing with the 2nd child. Theo is really only making now that he has his “own” things to do – not just going to Olivia’s things. Kindy has been awesome for his confidence – and simply the whole “I’m a boy thing” has meant kindy has filled in his need to be rough and to tumble because there are other little boys looking for it too!
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3 is so hard. I still shudder when I think of it. 7 hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. But that wasn’t what we were talking about.
You will find your way, no doubt. This first year must have been/must be so difficult. New baby, Bec starting school, easy for Ethan to get “lost in the shuffle” just as he’s needing to assert himself. But, never fear, he will
and you will do just as needed to help him along.
Hugs.
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We are still on the fence about having another, one of my biggest fears is that Jos will be the “middle child”. Och!
I’m sure Ethan will be fine ~ you are a great mom and are aware there could be challenges. That’s the first step, right?
My unfolded laundry NEVER disappears. The magician who performed that trick should be well rewarded. ;D
The great thing about it is that he is the only boy. At least that’s what I think whenever I fret about K being the middle child. Just remember when the youngest is about 3, things will be much, much easier because she will be able to play with the older ones easier.
As far as playing with the older kids, my Miss M still prefers to play with older kids if we go to a park, etc. But when she started preschool and school she’s gotten along fine. I think it’s a good thing that he can play with older kids.
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The unfolded laundry comment made me laugh. I have a huge pile form at home!
As others have said, 3 is a difficult age, especially for boys. Will be good for him to get some time on his own with you as well.
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I keep waiting for that pile o clean laundry to disappear and eventually it does, but magically my dirty pile has grown. How does that happen?
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I could see that being the middle child would be hard. And three, oh three.
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Ha! I *wish* laundry would disappear!
I’m the middle kid and think it’s great that you’re doing something just for Ethan. The playgroup sounds great!
Have a great weekend…
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my clean laundry pile transforms into a dirty laundry pile which transforms into a clean laundry pile, which transforms into a dirty laundry pile….
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Ah yes! Being the middle child can be quite quite tough. I am a middle child, and growing up with my family was hard, but I think that just your awareness of his new role and your attention to it will make things easier for him and he will appreciate you for that!
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