Some of you may have seen this on Facebook, but here's the story on my blog, so I don't forget. Yesterday afternoon Pearl had taekwondo. Usually we hang out in the back, but I needed to go pay for her upcoming testing and the Twiggs were being a little loud, so we decided to walk around to the front. Now, to be honest, I'm not really sure why Macey and I me were having a discussion about what she wasn't suppose to be doing, but at my 2-count, she wasn't yielding, so I kindly reminded her that on 3, she gets a time out. Three came!
Now, we were at the mall and Pearl was in class, so leaving the mall was not an option. This is important to the story. Also important to note ... Macey is pretty strong-willed.
So, at three, I walk over to her, pick her up and tell her she's going to sit with Mommy for her timeout. She did not approve of the idea and proceeded to scream/cry. For those of you who have witnessed this, you can fully grasp her scream/cry. For those of you who have not, it sounds a bit like you would imagine it to sound like if someone was poking someone with a sharp object. It is shrill, and it is loud. That being said, I just held her and kept asking her if she was ready to stop and say she was sorry, to which she kept replying, "no." So we sit and wait. During this time, Miles is running around, rolling around and as one might imagine, not really phased by the drama of his twin sister.
Fast forward a few minutes or so, a mall walker heads my direction with a concerned look. "She's fine," I said. "People can hear her down there and are staring to wonder what's going on," the lady tells me. "I'm the mom; I've got it under control," I respond as she walks away shaking her head. When her loop brings her past us again, she continues to give me unapproving looks and whispers to her friend. (Yes, I know you are talking about me. Yes, my child is still having a temper tantrum. No, I'm not going to give in to the temper tantrum.)
A few minutes later, Macey is finally starting to calm down, and Pearl's class is done. Macey throws another small fit, as she will not be able to watch Pearl, as she has spent the last 10 minutes throwing the first fit, but regardless, we have to get up from our spot and go get Pearl. As I turn the corner to go down the hallway, Miss Mall Walker is telling some Mr. Mall Walker all about the horrible mother just sitting there holding her daughter while she throws a fit. I don't really care.
In the end, Miss Macey said she was sorry, and she was reminded that Mommy is in charge and that her job is to listen and obey (continued thanks to Angel for the addition of the obey verbiage in earlier parenting years).
Here was my Facebook post when I got home: Dear Mall Walkers: No two-year-old child was harmed during her temper tantrum. Yes, she is loud, and yes, I am aware of it. However if you had taken time to notice, I was not flustered and was still managing to keep an eye on the child's twin. Your comments and unapproving looks were not helpful. Thank you for your time; now please go away.
My dear husband said I was being polite, but really, what was I going to do? I really wasn't all that flustered/frustrated by her fit. Macey was safe, but mad; Miles was safe and happy; and Pearl was where she was supposed to be. Me ... I was simply doing my job! And, as an added bonus, despite her desire and several wind-ups, Macey refrained from hitting me. I'll take that victory, too!
Until next time,
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