Thursday, April 2, 2009

Can a 4 year old have PMS?

Lillee, my 4 year old, is quite the moody little thing. She's definitely retribution for all I did to my mother while growing up. She's so much like me, including the moodiness.

This morning, like most mornings, she climbed into bed with us for snuggles. She seemed perfectly fine. Then Al asked her to switch sides of the bed so Chase could switch sides to nurse. For some reason this set her off. She jumped off the bed in a huff, found a spot on the floor and sat there for 20 minutes, pouting. When Al and I left the room, we told her she needed to leave as well. Did she? Of course not, Lillee is not the most obedient child. She's headstrong, independent and quite verbal in her insolence. This morning, though, she stood in silence behind my bedroom door, peeking through the crack.

As I made breakfast in the kitchen, I called her from my room once again...this time more forcefully and threatening (I'm good at that). She stomped out of the room as she realized she was getting herself deeper into trouble. She seemed to be fine at this point and walked to the kitchen to get some yogurt then off to the table to eat. I was also making oatmeal so I handed her a bowl of oatmeal. I rarely receive thank you's from her and today was no different. Instead of gratitude she tells me how it's not what she wants.

"I wanted the yellow bowl!"

Normally, she would want the red bowl she got (which was why I gave it to her) but she also tends to be contrary quite often. So I explained to her she needed to eat the oatmeal in the bowl she received. Her willfulness resulted in no more complaints but silent refusal to eat the oatmeal...see the power struggle :)

After breakfast, Connor was playing with a toy or a book or something (I can't even remember what it was now). Somehow, Lillee became upset and took off to her room, wailing like she had just received the worst news. I questioned Connor, he could not even tell me what set her off...he was as dumbfounded as I was.

Once she had stopped crying she emerged from her room and sauntered back to the living room. I called her over to come sit on my lap for some hugs and cuddles. This made her feel better and calm down. I asked why she was having such a hard morning and she had no explanation.

So I decided we needed to have a musical chick flick (Beauty & the Beast), cocoa & dark chocolate kisses. She perked right up, "I'll get the movie!" she exclaimed. I grabbed the cocoa and chocolate then we snuggled on the sofa munching our chocolate and watching our musical.

Does this sound a bit like PMS to you?

4 comments:

erinmalia said...

hmmm...extreme moodiness cured by chocolate? yep, that's one case of pms.

Erika said...

I have that same cereal bowl power struggle with Owen 2-3 times/week. *Sigh*

Spencer's Adventures said...

I am having the exact same issues lately with Abby. I am trying to decide if it is a 4-yr old girl thing or a jealous - there's a new baby and now the world does not revolve around me thing. If I ever figure it out I'll let you know. It is sure getting old though.

The Crash Test Dummy said...

ha ha ha ha