One of Maya's favorite games to play around the house is lock that door. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to head into a bedroom or the bathroom for instance, and face plant into a wooden wall when it doesn't open. Recently however, Maya has mastered the craft of locking and un-locking the doors in the house, giving our 3 year old daughter far beyond too much power. This came as a surprise to my husband last week, when during "adult" time in our locked bedroom, Maya suddenly made a guest appearance. Ooops! Mommy forgot to mention that Maya may have observed her unlocking a door the other day, with a random coin and now she has started collecting all the loose change around the house and calling them her "keys". This girl has officially become the
key master.
Suddenly I am dealing with having to find whole new ways to get any privacy. Does anyone else feel like a bad parent for using large or heavy objects to barricade their bedroom door? Please tell me other people have to do this too. Our kid has just gotten too smart for her own good. I was prepared to accept that Maya will exceed me in height for sure (My genes are that of a tiny people) but at the rate she's going, it looks like she may surpass me in problem solving skills as well. She's like freaking Macguyver up in here...it's ridiculous!
So the other day I was home from work and Maya started getting a little cranky around noonish. She stopped taking naps during the day at around two and a half (sigh) but every now and then it becomes pretty apparent that she needs one and this afternoon was no exception. She did not take the news well.
Maya: "I can't go night night...I'm not tired!"
Me: "Well guess what? You are and so is mommy so let's go"
We spent the next 20 minutes playing our typical routine of cat and mouse...kisses, goodnight, close the door, yell at Maya to close the door and get back in bed...."Yes it's bedtime, no you don't have to go potty again for the 5th time in 3 minutes!!! get back in bed please!" If i wasn't exhausted when the routine began, I am by the time she finally goes to sleep. Some nights I get lucky and there is minimal fuss....lately, not so much. This particular day however, she floored me. The last time she got up to yell at me from her doorway (and complain about the baby gate we have resorted to putting up in the hallway)...
Maya: " I don't like this mommy...I don't want this here!"
Me: "OK Maya, go to bed now"
AND THEN
In a very angry voice....Maya: " OKAY! GOOD....NIGHT....MOMMY!!!
Cue Maya's 1st ever.... door slam.
It wasn't very loud, because she isn't very big but the drama and overall effect were. she was looking right at me when she did it... I was stunned. I didn't know whether to think it was cute (Which of course it kind of was) or be concerned for the years to come. I knew that look too, it was the same look I used to give my mom when I thought she was being unfair. But at three!?! They can act like this at three!?! I can already envision all the tween and teenage fights. All the doors that will be slammed in the future. The name calling, the resentment, the hating my guts because I just don't "get" her.
(sigh)
"I better have the Xanax ready" I thought.
So, last night, after going potty and brushing our teeth and story time, Joel and I said our "good nights" and our "I love yous" and shut the door. Then Joel turned off the light in the hallway and went back to whatever he was doing, while I got into bed. Our bedrooms are directly across from each other, so if both doors are open, there is a clear view from one bed to the other. I normally leave mine open so I can make sure Maya stays in her room (plus I prefer a little outside light in the room, due to me not being the biggest fan of the dark). About 30 seconds after curling up, I heard Maya's door open. I rolled over to catch a glimpse of her turning the hall light on, then running back into her room and hopping into bed... leaving her door wide open. I sighed, rolled back over, pulled the blanket up to my chin and went to sleep. I may not be able to keep her from growing up so fast, but I can still pick my own battles.
Why didn't I think of this?
Obviously these parent's are professionals.
