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Role Reversal

I can't believe what a transformation Big A has undergone over the past few months.

Adam and I have noticed a dramatic leap in her emotional maturity. She is rarely ever defiant anymore (I honestly can't believe I'm saying that!), and significantly less whiney. She no longer seems jealous of Little A and she is helpful and affectionate with her little sister, and with us.

I honestly haven't enjoyed spending time with Big A this much since before she was 18 months old, and her LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG "terrible two" phase started. I am so happy and relieved, it was not so long ago that I had thought that my relationship with her was simply hopeless and we were destined to a lifetime of conflict and strife.

Unfortunately, things with Little A have now taken a turn for the worse. This may be due to her age - she's now 33 months old, which is prime "terrible two" age - but we suspect it is largely due to her refusal to nap.

Nope, as I've said before: NEVER underestimate the importance of sleep! But you really can't force someone to sleep (through legal/ethical means!). Putting Little A in a moving vehicle, whether it's a car or stroller, is no more likely to make her fall asleep than putting her in her bed. Adam and I have started trying to enforce nap or at least quiet time for her, something we gave up on before the holidays, but the days she doesn't actually fall asleep she is a different child.

When she does nap, she is usually her typical self: Mischievous, impish, affectionate, funny and absolutely, irresistably adorable. On days she does not nap she ranges from somewhat difficult to downright impossible. Unfortunately, it is still more often than not that she skips her nap. Not even her daycare teachers can get her to sleep when she is determined to resist.

If you have any tips for encouraging sleep, please leave me info in my comments section...I will be eternally grateful!!

FYI:

The Toronto Star ran an interesting series last week on motherhood after 40: http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/newsfeatures/article/1108972--motherhood-after-40-meet-the-mid-life-mama

The Globe and Mail had an article on pre-implantation genetic diagnosis: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/pregnancy/pregnancy-trends/unnatural-selection-is-evolving-reproductive-technology-ushering-in-a-new-age-of-eugenics/article2294636/

PGD is used in IVF frequently when a parent has a serious medical condition they do not want to pass on to their child. Some people are uncomfortable with this technology because it opens up the possibility of parents "customizing" their children in terms of gender and physical traits.

My question is, is there any way to screen out the "genes" that cause the "terrible twos"? JUST KIDDING, OF COURSE!

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