I now fully understand why the description ‘terrible twos’ was invented. Whoever thought of that line was not kidding. We’ve started feeling the terrible stage around eigth months ago. Ramil and I were in denial that it was indeed the start of the terrible stage. We were thinking that it can’t possibly be THAT stage, he’s not even two yet! However, the terribleness didn’t let up. Instead, it slowly but surely grew to the point when we couldn’t deny any longer that indeed, we have entered that dreaded toddler phase.

Between Ramil and me, he sure used to be more patient than me. Used to. Because when we had Mateo I suddenly realized that although I have my moments and outbursts, more often than not, I tend to be more patient and more understanding when it comes to Mateo. Lately though, we’d both found ourselves losing our wits with the little person in our house. We’d alternately half-scream ‘get him, get him’ to shield Mateo from our anger. Mateo has yet to turn two next month and I am desperately hoping that since he entered the terrible stage months earlier, he’d leave it earlier too. Just when I thought that we’re ready for disciplining our own child after teaching for several years, not to mention dog-training, I realize that you can never be prepared for your own child.

Still, I am grateful. Mateo still listens to us most of the time and we are still his big authority figures despite the fact that both Ramil and I are working full-time. However, it also makes us think that maybe one or both of us should have more time with him. Consistency is still the key to discipline and we’re finding it so hard to be consistent because Mateo still spends a considerable amount of time with his yaya.

But we’re dealing. There are still a lot of moments of fun, sometimes even in the midst of a sermon when Mateo would answer back or blurt out something funny or witty. However, it leaves us no time for anything else at home. We noticed that the terribleness is at its height whenever one or both of us are doing something else like tinkering on our respective laptops. Which means not much time for blogging, working, or researching on mesothelioma whenever he’s awake. I am seriously hoping this is a stage and not a permanent thing, for my sanity’s sake.