Have you read this book? If not, pick up a copy. It epitomizes the day I am having. Tell me the truth, all are toddlers completely irrational and dramatic when they get angry? Is it just my child? Here is a little insight into my morning.I was in the middle of packing up the kids to take a drive to their great-grandmother's house when something completely set off G. Honestly, I can't even remember exactly what it was. Perhaps the fact that I wouldn't allow him to climb into the back of the car and jump down repeatedly. In any event, he got angry. Not just your run-of-the-mill-I'm-temporarily-upset anger, but the type of anger where your child runs in circles crying at the top of their lungs. At one point, I wondered what the neighbors thought of the side-show that was occurring in my front yard.
I honestly did not know what to do. The parenting books I have read suggest distracting him, removing him from the situation, etc, etc. How exactly would I do that? In order to control my own anger, I simply ignored him and, as calmly as I could, loaded the car and got us on the road.
Unfortunately, G's anger did not subside once he was in his carseat. In fact, I do believe that it increased, exponentially. Here is an abbreviated list of his complaints during the hour car ride that ensued.
1) The sun. Not because it was shining in his eyes, but because it was daylight.
2) Mama would not allow him to drive.
3) Mama would not allow him to make a phone call from her cell phone.
4) Mama would not pull over so that he could observe a digger more closely on the side on the freeway.
5) Mama would not remove his socks and sweatshirt while driving.
I know there were undoubtedly more items on G's list of complaints, but by the time he identified numbers 6-15, I was practicing deep breathing and trying to figure out if there was some sort of emergency parenting service that picks up your kids and takes them away for a short time.
Tomorrow will be better. I must believe this.
-Francesca
2 comments:
Yes, there is a service like that. It's called "Grandma's House". I HIGHLY recommend it!
Tomorrow will be better, friend...hang in there!
If not, then clearly you need to go to Australia. =)
Oh, boy, I have HAD those days and those melt-downs before (both mine and the kids').
Come on, you are such a mean mom. you wouldn't let him drive? sheesh.
;o)
Thanks for your comment on my blog! I needed a wee bit of affirmation, thanks for providing it!
Nice to meet you, your family is wonderful.
Post a Comment