Jeffrey still goes to daycare about 2-3 times per week in order not to lose his spot. Today was the first time that I took Jeffrey in my car. This is the conversation that went on when he saw that I had switched his car seat from the back of the passenger side to behind me in order to put Tyler’s car seat where his USED to be.
Jeffrey (who took one look and started crying): “Why is my car seat moved?”
Me: “You’re sitting behind me now because I wanted you to be closer to me (trying an approach)”.
Jeffrey: “I want to sit in my old place. I don’t want to be behind you”.
Me: “But you’re so big now that you get to sit behind the driver’s seat. You’re closer to the driver’s seat” (I’m hoping he will think this is a cool thing. Tyler sits behind the passenger seat because he’s a baby. You get the special seat.”
Jeffrey: “I don’t want to be big. You can’t see me now. I can’t see you” (not just crying now but screaming)
Me: (I show him the rearview mirror) “I still you in the mirror which is really cool and look, I can reach my hand and touch you so easily”.
Jeffrey: (not buying any of this) “I don’t want to sit behind you. I don’t want a brother any more”.
Me: “Mommy is the one that moved the seat. Jeffrey, this is going to be so cool. We can drive the car together. You can pretend to drive with me because now you’re behind the driver’s seat. Just try, it’s REALLY COOL” (hoping he’ll buy it)
Jeffrey: (ranting, crying) “I don’t want to sit here, I don’t want to pretend drive. I want to be a baby”.
Me: “I understand you’re upset. This is all new for you. But bigger boys have to sit behind the driver’s seat. It’s the cool seat. I can see that you’re angry” (I don’t know if he heard me because the crying and screaming continued.)
At this point, I just let him rant. Hey, his life just got turned upside down with the arrival of his brother. He’s been the only one for 4 years now, his whole life. His home life has totally changed. I can at least allow him to rant once in a while.
photo credit: monozygotic.com
