See that picture? That’s a picture of Scorch trying his darndest to help the Bean’s sled go further after her attempt down the hill didn’t take her as far as she wanted. The problem? He’s actually pushing her up a slight incline. Why is he doing this- slipping, sliding and sweating the whole time? Because she started to throw a fit when we both told her no two minute earlier.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is an issue.

If I haven’t made it clear here before, let me state again that the Bean is not just smart, but she’s clever. She knows how to get to someone and will press on that weakness until you’re ready to beg for mercy. And Scorch cannot stand to see her throwing a fit 90% of the time.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said no to the Bean over something-no, you can’t have another cookie. no, I’m taking the sword away because you’ve impaled your brother too many time.no, I’m not making a 3rd breakfast for you because you’ve decided that you no longer wants toast/eggs/waffles/whatever-and she’s dissolved into a shrieking, screaming, frothing-at-the-mouth hell hound demanding I give her whatever she wants. Now. Or Else.

I don’t negotiate with terrorists, so when I say no, I mean no.  But Scorch, being the sucker that he is, can’t stand seeing Bean so unhappy and hearing all her racket, so next thing I know I have the Bean screaming at me because she’s mad and Scorch screaming at me to give her what ever it is she wants just to quiet her down for Pete’s sake!

It’s fun, is what I’m telling you.

I find myself explaining to the Bean- again- why she’s not getting what she wants and then having to defend my actions to Scorch, rationalizing why I’m not attempting to tame my wild child and instead letting her scream so loudly that our ears ring. And while the Bean is screaming, she’s also playing close attention. This week alone she got the aforementioned push up the hill, Scorch’s site word ring from school, a beloved football and one of his prized stuff animals all thru the power of her scream.

If that boy doesn’t wise up soon, he’s screwed.

Typically when I don’t post here, things are either really good (see: Christmas break) or really bad (relatively speaking). This past week+ has been bad.  Sleep has been beyond miserable thanks to Scorch and his continued fear of Kitty Galore. A month and a half ago, my kids were in bed, asleep, by 7:45 or 8 most nights.  Now we’re lucky if they are in bed, asleep, before 10. And forget sleeping through the night- I think I can count on one hand the number of times that’s happened since mid-December.

In short, we’re all exhausted and cranky.

Like I mentioned before, the problem isn’t nightmares as much as it is Scorch laying in bed freaking himself out thinking about scary things. Out of desperation I shared all this with some of my best online friends last week as we had gone through everything the Hubs and I could think of. One friend recommended a meditation CD for kids.  I was desperate, so I bought it right then and there (love you, iTunes!) and we tried it that night.

Scorch was asleep within 10 minutes.  I almost cried I was so happy. Evidently having something to occupy his smart, sweet brain was what he really needed to keep his mind off of scary things.  We had great success the 2nd night and since then it’s been a bit more hit and miss, but things are much better then they were before.

The CD really is lovely – the voice speaking is incredible smoothing and she speaks in a very soft, sing-songy cadence asking the listener to envision different things (you’re sailing on a ship, you’re in a garden) and Scorch loves it. I can’t recommend it enough…unless your child has a sibling like the Bean.

This morning Bean took away Scorch’s favorite toy while he wasn’t paying attention. He threw a total fit and without missing a beat, the Bean started to mimic the tone and rhythm of the meditation CD. “Picture your dragon, Scorch. What color is your dragon? Is he flying?” and on and on. Scorch started laughing so hard he let her keep his toys.