The Small(er) One has been brainwashed. After a Christmas of being over-indulged by her adoring extended family, which basically translates to eating as much chocolate as she wants whenever she wants, and watching back-to-back Disney movies (Cinderella and Aristocrats on a 3:1 ratio) for a full ten days, the Small(er) One, all of two and a half years old, has decided that she is Cinderella.
She insists on wearing a crown and a ballet skirt at all times - even over pyjama bottoms or jeans, and sneaked under dresses and nighties when the mean stepmother (me, apparently) tries to lay down the law. Before the Small(er) One deigns to leave the house she insists on being decked out with the entire contents of the dressing-up jewellery box. She also carries a handbag on the crook of her arm, just like the Queen. She will only answer to "Cinderella" and objects loudly when addressed by her given name.
In addition to the Cinderella obsession, the Small(er) One has developed hair paranoia. After bellowing (accompanied by the stamping of chubby little feet and often a squeezed out tear), "My hair all messy!" at least once an hour, she insists on being given a hairbrush, then races off to the mirror to fix herself up. Once properly quoiffed, the Small(er) One looks at herself lovingly, tosses her naughty blonde head, smirks and races off to play/ torment her poor parents/ bite Firstborn once more.
More worryingly, the Small(er) One also gets upset if anyone else's hair isn't to her liking; I can't tie my hair back anymore upon pain of toddler rage, and woe betide Firstborn or I if we put our coats on and leave our hair tucked into the collar - for some reason this is an unbearable affront.
As Firstborn said (with a pained expression) after the Small(er) One's 99th tantrum of the day, "Mummy, the shouting makes my ears want to go on holiday."
Should we be worried? If this is the terrible twos (and I haven't told you half of it) what the hell is the Small(er) One going to be like as a teenager?
She insists on wearing a crown and a ballet skirt at all times - even over pyjama bottoms or jeans, and sneaked under dresses and nighties when the mean stepmother (me, apparently) tries to lay down the law. Before the Small(er) One deigns to leave the house she insists on being decked out with the entire contents of the dressing-up jewellery box. She also carries a handbag on the crook of her arm, just like the Queen. She will only answer to "Cinderella" and objects loudly when addressed by her given name.
In addition to the Cinderella obsession, the Small(er) One has developed hair paranoia. After bellowing (accompanied by the stamping of chubby little feet and often a squeezed out tear), "My hair all messy!" at least once an hour, she insists on being given a hairbrush, then races off to the mirror to fix herself up. Once properly quoiffed, the Small(er) One looks at herself lovingly, tosses her naughty blonde head, smirks and races off to play/ torment her poor parents/ bite Firstborn once more.
More worryingly, the Small(er) One also gets upset if anyone else's hair isn't to her liking; I can't tie my hair back anymore upon pain of toddler rage, and woe betide Firstborn or I if we put our coats on and leave our hair tucked into the collar - for some reason this is an unbearable affront.
As Firstborn said (with a pained expression) after the Small(er) One's 99th tantrum of the day, "Mummy, the shouting makes my ears want to go on holiday."
Should we be worried? If this is the terrible twos (and I haven't told you half of it) what the hell is the Small(er) One going to be like as a teenager?
Comments
At the worst she will develop a hardcore personality disorder. However, if she wants to get on in this world, that will probably serve her in good sted!
We had even bought pajamas prior to showing it to her, not realizing they had one of the cats on it. Now she has bibs and shorts with these cats on them, as well.
Are you really looking for advice here? Cause it sounds cute as anything. If pushed to offer some thoughts, I'd say she's 90% playing and 10% pushing the limits to see who's going to be in control, her or the adults. You might want to take your turn being in control once in a while just so she knows who is in charge. Just my two cents... (And my girl is 14 now, so I miss that cute stuff...)
All the best,
Andrew (To Love, Honor, and Dismay)