Taking suggestions...

On how to wean Matthew from needing CONSTANT attention. He can usually play by himself for a while unless his sleeping isn't going well...which is 99% of the time...so basically I need some advice for that 99% of the time. We play together a lot but since there are times when I need to get stuff done, I'd like to know the best way to handle the screaming, crying, my-life-is-totally-ruined fit that occurs should I take a phone call, go to the bathroom, clean the house, or actually try to feed myself.

Sometimes, if rested, he can do really well playing if I am on the floor folding laundry or something like that. SHould I decide to stand at the bar to check email or wash dishes or start lunch, all bets are off. But recently since his sleep has been really off, I can't do ANYTHING else even if on the floor by him. Try to look at the mail....no. Try to blow up his new pool...no.

I don't like spoiled kids and don't want to raise one...so there are definitely times I just let him cry and try to redirect him with words. But lately even that is not working. He will just continue to throw a huge fit that gets increasingly worse. I know so much of it is probably sleep related, but with such little control over that, I'm looking for any advice I can get.

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for your comments! I am actually doing a lot of the suggestions you made, so it may just be a matter of time...before I can go to the bathroom again. HAHA! Actually one of the best things I have done is start a Warren Wiersbe study on Philippians. It's called "Be Joyful" and is a reminder that our joy is in Christ, not our circumstances. Hmmmm...maybe I'll write that on M's forehead with a sharpie

To May, thanks for your comment! I couldn't access you blog so just wanted to note how funny it is that we both have Matthews with the same characteristics. Maybe we should think about changing their names!