Tantrum Story: He's Hard-Headed But That's a Good Thing

I've told many stories on my son. I have an ongoing blog theme titled Excerpts From The Penis Factor that relates some of the things I've gone through. The Penis Factor is what I blame for the crazy things my son does when I have nothing to draw on from raising two daughters before him.

Tantrums and how he broke himself is one of them.

About the time her turned a year old, he had a very bad habit of getting mad and throwing himself backwards. Hard, too. Usually from a sitting position, but if he were standing when he was set off, he'd sit down and then fling himself backwards.

At first I was concerned and tried to soften the blows as best I could. I feared he was going to crack his skull open. I'd run to him every time he did it, scoop him up, and fawn over him with cooing sounds of comfort. That worked for consoling his being upset, but did nothing for the tantrums.

This went on for a couple of months and I finally decided, ya know what? When it hurts, he will quit. When he bangs his head hard enough, it will break him. And maybe literally, too.

And finally - that day came.

He flew into a fit over some cookies that he wanted and flung himself backwards when he didn't get them fast enough. This time, he caught the leg of the coffee table squarely on the back of his head as he went down. Of course, he kicked, screamed and cried more because it hurt. And he also got a big knot on his head. But eventually all was well and the knot was just a knot and nothing became of it.

He still threw fits after that. And he would still fling himself backward every time he did...but instead of going straight back, he'd ease back on his elbows and then lay down to have the fit. * laughing *