I was that mom yesterday.
The one who arrives at the supermarket, places her 2 year old son in the trolley and starts shopping.
The one who sets about choosing a birthday present for the party her 8 year old is attending even as she shops.
The one whose son starts asking for toys because, well, everything looks so cool and shiny, doesn’t it?
The one who can’t satisfy her son with anything and so moves on, hoping to distract him.
The one whose son starts whining, softly, but insistently.
The one whose son’s whines turn to crying, but she can’t do anything to stop it.
The one who is stopped by a sweet old woman, who chats to her son for a few moments and manages to keep him calm.
The one whose son starts to cry the moment they move on.
The one whose son starts screaming a few minutes later.
The one who picks her son up when they are finished shopping and carries him out, screaming and kicking.
The one everyone is watching as she leaves the shop with her son over her shoulder, kicking and screaming.
The one who has to put her son down because he’s kicking her so much, she almost drops him.
The one who walks away from her son, because she thinks that that will finally do the trick to get him to comply.
The one who stares her 2 year old down from across the store – a stand-off – and loses.
The one who places her child in the car seat by holding his legs down with her elbow because he’s screaming and struggling so much.
The one who, as she’s driving away, lets out a scream of frustration.
***
Needless to say, Jonah isn’t adjusting very well to crèche. He had to start this week and hates it. Cries when we get changed in the morning, cries when we get in the car after dropping James and Hannah off at school, and cries when I leave him for work. I know he’ll get used to it, but I’m hating this phase.
***
My dad is progressing so well. He’s been asking for food, snacks and reading material and has his old sense of humour back. According to the doctors, he’ll be home next Friday.
A miracle.
HUGS to you AND him. It's so tough when they battle to adjust.
Posted by: Melany | August 24, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I hear you buddy, loud and clear. This phase SUCKS!!!! My boy took a while too, but now he is fine.
Well done to your dad! They are strong, aren't they. :-)
Posted by: Bianca W | August 25, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Hugs to you!!! I had a 3 year old meltdown at Target weeks ago. I just wanted to cry because of it.
I am thrilled to hear about your dad.
Posted by: Michelle | August 26, 2008 at 02:49 AM
Yikes! This is why hog-tying should not be illegal!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 26, 2008 at 04:42 AM
Ah, at that age, mine had a meltdown in a McDonalds bathroom after she WET HER PANTS. We were on a road trip - ust me and her doing an 800 mile journey back home from the East Coast. I had to haul her out - NAKED - to the car. Thank GOD she fell asleep from all the fuss soon after she was belted into the car seat.
Posted by: brandy101 | August 27, 2008 at 09:02 PM
I am not looking forward to this stage with my baby. My son (who is 15 now) threw one of the biggest fits I have ever seen when I was grocery shopping when he was 3 and I left the store with him hanging from me. But it gets better. And it will for you too :-)
Posted by: Jennifer | August 28, 2008 at 07:45 PM
I think as mothers we will all have one of those days. Good to hear about your dad. Sending well wishes.
Posted by: Stephanie | August 29, 2008 at 01:54 AM
I've had lots of days like that and it can be very frustrating and tiring. But then when my kids are sleeping, I look at how sweet and innocent they look and it's easy to forget the frustrations of the day! Well, until the next public meltdown...
Posted by: Helene Gaither | August 29, 2008 at 05:31 AM
My little guy has had a tantrum or two in a store and I don't know exactly what the "right" thing is when it comes to handling him.
I keep telling myself that this is just a phase and he'll get over it soon enough.
Until then, I try to keep lots of chocolate and white wine at home as a treat for ME when he goes down for a rest. :)Hang in there!
Posted by: Amy @ Thoughts from the Mrs | August 29, 2008 at 04:14 PM
I am the mom with the cute little girl licking the floor in the freezer section at Walmart! Good times. Glad to hear I am not the only one!
Posted by: Crazy Jugs | August 29, 2008 at 07:40 PM
You're definitely not the only mom that's been that mom. It's never easy being her either. Sometimes yelling at the top of the lungs in the relative safety of your car is the only way to let it out.
Posted by: mrsbear | August 31, 2008 at 03:07 AM
oh my goodness neen... you have had your hands full! i hope jonah adjusts soon.
Posted by: angel | August 31, 2008 at 07:26 AM
i'm the one who wants to tie her kids hands up coz he cannot stop fiddling and keeps disappearing!!!
Posted by: angel | August 31, 2008 at 08:10 AM