Today was one of those unforgettable days—the kind you’ll always remember but are eager to put behind you.
It all kicked off at 5:30 a.m. when my little three-year-old, Emma, woke up way too early. She had been feeling under the weather and decided she wanted to color. And that’s when the first showdown began—before dawn and without my much-needed cup of coffee. Over crayons.
“They’re right there on the table, sweetheart!” I urged. But she responded with that whiny voice that no parent wants to hear: “But my legs are soooo tired. Can you bring them to me?” Yeah, right.
How about reaching across the table?
After a lengthy twenty minutes, the tantrum eventually subsided, and I managed to ignore every second of it. It’s liberating to refrain from reacting when they’re pulling at your shirt. It’s funny how she had the energy to yell and tug on me but claimed her little legs couldn’t move to get to the crayons.
Next up was our six-year-old, Lily, who was also a bit cranky. She was worried I might leave town for a vacation. Since my mom, who usually watches the girls, had just gotten out of the hospital after battling pneumonia, things felt uncertain, and this upset our sensitive little one. “I don’t want you to leave. I don’t want to go to art camp; I just want to be with you all day! Baa wah wah!”
After breakfast, I sensed another meltdown brewing. It all started when I picked an outfit she deemed unacceptable, then the braids I styled weren’t tight enough, and finally, it escalated to the bathroom situation. “Why aren’t you helping me?” she shouted. Apparently, it was all my fault.
Evidence that the braids were, indeed, tight enough and quite lovely.
In my sweetest tone, I said, “Oh, I’m sorry, love! Just push the poop out, push, push!”
“No! I’m not going to camp!”
I calmly spoke to her about the power of positive self-talk, knowing she needed reassurance. But after a few moments, I felt overwhelmed and took a brief timeout to pray. “Please, God, give me the strength to stay calm and composed today.”
That’s when the real chaos began.
I brought her some apple juice with probiotics to help her tummy. As I handed it to her, she knocked it out of my hands. Anger surged through me, and I was on the brink of screaming “Noooo!!!” But, through gritted teeth, I made a vow to remain unshaken.
“I know you’re sad, frustrated, angry, and tired, and it’s okay to feel this way. But it’s never acceptable to act out like this. Please clean it up and get dressed now.”
Just ten hours earlier, I had called my partner to cancel our trip—his birthday getaway and our first time alone in almost two years. I felt guilty and scared about how the kids would cope, especially without my mom’s support. But what those little rascals didn’t realize was that their behavior fueled my desire for a break, motivating me to make that trip happen—no matter what.
Ultimately, Lily went to art camp, albeit reluctantly, but ended up having a blast! I learned some valuable lessons from my little ones that day.
It doesn’t matter how grumpy you are; you can’t ruin my day unless I allow it. Change can be tough, but you will get through it. While routine and consistency are fantastic, sometimes you just need to embrace new experiences. Mommy and Daddy won’t be there every moment of every day, and that’s perfectly fine.
Unfortunately, our getaway had to be postponed, and my dreams of Las Vegas, fancy dinners, and sleeping in will have to wait. But I now feel re-energized with new strategies for handling their outbursts.
Let’s hope I can keep this in mind the next time they act up—which will probably be tomorrow when I serve pancakes instead of waffles for breakfast.
Anyone up for babysitting?
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Summary:
Parenting challenges can be overwhelming, especially when faced with the emotional rollercoaster of tiny tantrums. This humorous recounting of a tough morning with young children highlights the importance of staying calm and composed amid chaos. Embracing change and seeking support can make all the difference. After all, while routines are comforting, new experiences can be just as rewarding.