It all started yesterday with our trip to the roller rink. With it being cold outside (even though sunday it was quite nice out), we have been trying to find fun things to do indoors, while also getting some exercise. I figured this would be a fun thing for the kids to do, and fun for Jack and I to try and remember how to not fall on our butts. The first few steps, err skates, were tricky, wobbly, and I am sure if a picture would have been taken, priceless. After a while Noah got the hang of it pretty well for it being his first time. He and I made several laps around the rink with out falling. Lillian wanted to do it herself... in fact her wording was "Me do it myself!" She fell about a dozen times and had enough, she figured out it was easier for her to skate on the carpet around the outside of the rink, rather than on the wooden floor. She kept asking why she was falling, and I tried to explain that all people fall... "Why?"... "Because they do not know what they are doing at first"... "Why?"... "Because they have never done it before, and they are learning like you are"... "Why?"... You see where this was going.
It came time to leave, and for some one who really didn't want to skate, she sure threw a fit about leaving. "ME WANNA ICE SKATE MORE!" (Note to self: Bring kids ice skating) There are very few times where my kids are "Those kids", she was on her back doing only what I can describe as a lay down cartwheel spin kick, throw in some tears, a few kicks of the feet, some screaming, and tada... there you have it... a "those kids" situation.
And the first thing out of Jacks mouth... "Want some ice cream?". I fell over. I couldn't help but laugh. The tears dried up, she still refused to put on her shoes, I gave her a piggy back ride to the car, and we were off to get ice cream. I hate that she got ice cream after such a display, but she sure was cute eating her kids size twist. It reminded me of when I was young watching them eat ice cream, laughing and being the sweet silly kids I know them to be.... It was short lived.
We needed to get some groceries, so we headed to Wally world. I know in a kids mind going to a grocery store is the farthest thing from fun, besides the wide open space to run in, the clothing racks to hide in, the shiny new toys to cry for, touching everything on the isle, riding in the cart, under the cart, walking next to the cart, getting to carry things, put things in the basket... wait.. why are they not having fun?!
Some how genetically my daughter has inherited this ear piercing screech that is more high pitched than five house hold fire alarms, two car alarms, and one annoying alarm clock all mixed together. If she were to hold that scream I am pretty sure it would drop a grown man to his knees. And of course she tried to perfect her talent in the store. At this point I started to burry my face in my sweatshirt and walk just slightly ahead of Jack and the kids, and put on the "I do not know these people" face.
I had decided it was time for a big girl talk, and some consequences to start taking place. The three things she loves most in the world; Dora aka Doot Doot Doot Doot Da-Dora, Sleeping Beauty, and baby dolls. That night she lost the privilege to watch her show. The melt down started again. Code red, run for the hills, hide in your bomb shelter. She soon got over it, and occupied herself with her tea set. Then came bed time. Our new thing is for me to carry them into their bed holding them like a baby. So I carried Noah first, he was almost half asleep anyways, as I am putting him into bed, she is screaming. kicking. crying. "CARRY ME LIKE A BABY!"... I had planned on it, AFTER I tucked Noah in. At this point I just find it to be reaching a ridiculousness level that is beyond reasoning. We had a mommy daughter talk, I tried to keep it short and to the point to hold her short attention span, and to drive home the point of her behavior not being acceptable, and reenforcing that she is a good girl, and needed to start acting more like it. Stop with the "I dont wants"... which are more like "I not wanna"... and to do things when she is asked to, as in clean up her room, make her bed, put her shoes by the door... etc.
The clouds parted, I was making headway, she was getting what I was saying... or was she? The next morning, the tantrum rear its ugly head again. First about wanting me to put on her shoes while I am trying to make lunches, and check on my "Don't leave the house without" list. Once we worked past that, and the shoes were on(check), coat was on(check), lunch made(check), everyone ready to go(not check)... she wanted to bring her puzzle, which would have been fine, had it not been scattered all over the floor. No to the puzzle. Melt down. I'm not the only one to see a pattern here right? No. Meltdown. No. Meltdown. Sigh.
Somehow we made it out the door, and on to Nanny and Papa's house, where she and I seemed to have a glue bond, she refused to let go. Meltdown. I had to leave her there, like that, and go start my day at work. Lovely. Her Nanny let her cry it out on the couch in the back room, until she was ready to rejoin the group and be "nice girl". She kept on the up and up the rest of the day. Then Mommy came home. Long story short, she lost her Sleeping Beauty. The TV was still gone. We did manage to have a nice dinner, and cuddle on the couch where she fell asleep in my arms, looking sweet as ever. Lord I hope that tomorrow she is back to her normal self, or I may need some hair transplants.
It is hard to stay mad at those cute faces, but I have got to stand my ground and stay on top of this. As they say "This too shall pass". I am holding strong to that, and the will and strength to make it through the storm. Wish us luck!
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