Friday, August 13

On parenting a toddler

We're definitely there. That terrible, horrible stage everyone talks about. My child throws a fit about EVERYTHING. Yesterday I needed to go to the grocery store, but I convinced myself that since I'd had a very busy week at work, i wanted to just come home, unwind with some snuggles and spend some quality time with DD.

I get home to her all worked up and screaming because she didn't want to wear clothes. I ask her if she'd like to go to the park and feed the ducks which she did. But it took multiple meltdowns and two trips to "the chair" (lol - where she goes to cool down after a tantrum) before i could get her dressed. Still no shoes on. Went to the garage all pumped about our ride, she puts her helmet on and by the time I get done switching the trailer from the Hubby's bike to mine, she doesn't want to go anymore. I try to get her pumped up again but she just lays on the garage floor crying. ::deep breath::

Calmly take her inside, put her in her chair again. Let her cool off. Soon she's calling for me. I go in and try to engage in conversation, play, anything but she won't have it. Wants to go outside. We go back outside. She cries because she just wants dad (he's mowing). I try chalk, the slide, a make believe picnic -- all a no go.

Ask her if she's like to go to the store and help me get stuff for dinner. She does. While she's in a good mood I grab what I need and out the door we go. Tantrum while we try to get in the car. Ask her if she'd like to buckle herself. More crying. Sit her down, buckle her, get in, drive to store. Crying ceased. Pull sling out of backseat. Crying commences. Ask her if she'd like to walk. "Ya." She walks. Nice guy offers us his cart, she cries because she wanted to put the quarter in (Aldi). I reassure her she can help me get it out when we're done.

Enter store. Able to engage her most of the way through the store by asking her to choose between items, put things in cart, etc. She made good choices and I even let her pick out some ice cream for later, which she was very excited about...until she realized it was for later and not NOW. On the floor screaming again. Ask her to help me put the groceries on the belt. She get up (screaming of course) and runs straight to the only open line, closes the barricade and says "NO". People laugh. I go to retrieve her, she runs. Holding up line. Let her hang out on the other side of the register while I unload. She comes back and says "sorry. ice cream?" "We can have ice cream later honey." More screaming.

I pay. Cashier sarcastically calls her a big helper. She happily helps me bag groceries. Walks out to the parking lot. We load groceries into car, take cart back. She helps retrieve quarter. Tantrum getting back into car seat. Shoves quarter in her mouth because she's mad I me. I have to forcefully retrieve the quarter. More crying. Get home, put her outside with dad and retreat to the kitchen to make dinner alone.

1 comment:

  1. Sorry, but it's refreshing to hear that I am not the only one with a toddler who whines about everything all day long! We WILL get through this. ;o)

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