You think I would be used to this. Lately, H has been a little terror. My normally sweet little munchkin has decided to defy even the simplest requests. Repetition doesn't seem to be helping. Small smacks on the hand don't seem to be helping, we don't raise our voice, we try to distract, but he is persistent. Focused on creating mischief and testing those boundaries.

Well, today after multiple times having told him not to, I found H in the trashcan. I need the trashcan in the kitchen. There's no way to put the trashcan where he can't get it because if I did that, then we couldn't use it. I need to be able to throw things away easily, especially since I usually have my arms full with one baby while the other one runs around my knees. We've tried turning the trash can around, so he can't open the lid. It stayed on the back porch for a few days but trash would pile up on the counters (like wrappers and napkins, not food). I tried explaining that it's nasty, that it's 'ew', 'gross', 'bad' but nothing seems to stick. He just wants to play in the trash.

In frustration after having already found him covered in coffee grounds earlier today I gave him a swat on his bottom. I hate doing it because he immediately burst into huge heaving cries. H is a little drama queen and will sob for no reason in particular, putting himself on the ground, etc. but when he went after the trash can again I decided enough was enough. Em was crying, I needed to get her, I couldn't stay in the kitchen to surpervise him, so I just picked his sobbing little butt up and plopped him in his crib.

I closed the blinds, turned on his dog, made sure he had his pacifier and his blanket, and shut the door. Then I went to take care of Em. It was a bit early for his nap but after a few minutes of crying, I haven't heard a peep from him. I coaxed Em back to sleep in the swing and now I'm about to start dishes...

But I feel so bad. Anyone else run into this before? Or put your LO down for a nap crying?