We're less than a week away from 3. I've enjoyed Matthew being 2. Mostly. I don't generally give in to the whole "terrible two's" theory. I can say that I 100% enjoyed 2 over the newborn stage and have often thought if I have a second child I would like to adopt a 2-year-old.
However ...
These temper tantrums.
Today we went through temper tantrum hell. I'm thinking, and hoping, it was Matthew's last two-year-old hurrah.
First we had gymnastics. The facility we go to is gigantic. And Matthew had a complete temper tantrum. He was on the floor kicking and screaming. I think every single person in the gym could hear his wails of wanting to play in the sponge pit.
I tried EVERYTHING to calm him down. Five minutes later he did calm down when I let him do a sommersault on a mat (ironically the temper tantrum was because he did not want to do a sommersault in the first place).
But, on went the day and it wasn't that eventful. Until I took Matt to the grocery store.
All I wanted to do was get stuff for dinner. We are fortunate to live across the street, so we just walk over and pick up what we need, visit the fish and head home. Matt enjoys it. I enjoy it. We kill some time and get some dinner.
But again, an easy visit was not in the cards. Why? Because Matthew DID.NOT.WANT. TO. GO. IN. THE. CART. okay. he also did not want to walk. Or be held. He wanted to scream. So, as everyone on a nice, busy Saturday afternoon was doing their shopping my son was wailing. and wailing. and wailing.
I finally took him over to the little coffee shop area. I tried to calm him down. I tried to compromise and I finally just let him cry. And, for the first time in ages I felt like a truly horrible parent. People were staring. One lady commented. But, now that I'm a veteran mom of a toddler I was able to block it.
And then just as suddenly as the temper tantrum started it stopped. And Matthew said to me
"Mommy. I am very thirsty. Can I sit in the cart and have a drink?"
Ooooookay.
And then it was fine. I got him a drink. He sat in the cart. We had a very productive shopping trip.
And I wondered to myself whether or not the temper tantrums will end next Friday. I'm kind of hoping they will. I'm kind of thinking they won't.
We're now debating ending the evening with a trip to Chapters ... I'm thinking I'll test out the promise of the store manager that my child is welcome ANY TIME. We'll see ....
2 comments:
The meltdowns can be challenging. My daughter is still easily distracted enough though that they don't last too long (knock on wood). Hopefully he'll grow out of it soon.
Those tantrums come at the worst time. Often, I find, in the end, they aren't usually really about what you think they are. I find the bunny just needs to "let off steam" and then it is over.
Distraction is the answer for us and not obsessing over what we think she is upset about.
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