Terrible Twos = Nervous Breakdown

Yesterday, I decided to get out of the house with my baby. We went to my cousin's house. We were both thrilled to get out the house. At first, he was fine playing with his cousins but then as the night progressed, it was like his other half was coming out. This boy went from screaming from the top of his lungs to hitting me. I nearly lost it. No, despite my cousin's belief that I kept my composure, I know I lost it for a second. I just wanted to get in my car and leave him there. Of course, after counting in my head to 10, I came back to my senses.

I knew exactly what the problem was, he was tired and sleepy. As soon as we were in the car, he was sound asleep. Why do children do this? Why do they fight sleep to the point of just becoming irritable and inconsolable? Do they really think they are going to miss out on something? I wish I was able to sleep whenever I wanted to; I can't even sleep when I am able to. And how do parents handle these horrible public temper tantrums? And what is it with the hitting?

I know my son cannot be the only 2 1/2 (three months shy from 3) year old child that acts this way. He's usually a pretty good and happy baby until you take away something he loves. His "not-tired tantrums" have significantly reduced and when he does have one, it's not that bad. But I've noticed that children born in this generation are nothing like those from previous. I'm 32 years old and still have utter respect for my mom. If I even thought about raising my hand at my mom when I was younger, well I don't even want to think about that. I understand that boys are different from girls. I have a younger brother and my mom's discipline didn't have the same effect on him like it did on me. Children these days seem to be born with the knowledge that took us years to learn.

But is it because he has no father around? Hmm, hard to tell, the only person he listens to IS my brother but he doesn't live with us either and doesn't see him daily. Is it because I'm too busy and tired that I let little things slide that now have become bigger issues? Could be, but when you are the ONLY caretaker and receive NO HELP FROM the other parent or the government, what are you suppose to do. Or is this just part of the terrible twos and will HOPEFULLY go away before I have a nervous breakdown? I SURE DO HOPE SO!