Sep 29, 2009

Toddler Mood Whiplash

My son rode peacefully in the cart at the grocery store, happily singing one, two buckle my shoe and shouting about big fat hens.

He was patient while I read ingredients lists and cheerfully told me the color of every fruit in the produce section.

A grandmotherly women complimented him and told me he was the best behaved little shopper she had ever seen. He smiled at her angelically.

He was even pleasant and giggly while we checked out.

Less than 10 minutes later....

For no apparent reason, my son started performing his best banshee impression in the middle of the driveway.

I still have no idea what initiated the chain reaction, but the end result was an impressive explosion of emotion.

All negotiations attempts fail.

In order to move the proceedings indoors, I end up carrying a kicking, pissed off toddler under one arm (while carrying a gallon of milk in each hand).

The low point was when my shirt got pulled up, exposing my ridiculous pregnant belly (and there wasn't a darn thing I can do about it at that moment).

Two different neighbors stared at us out their window and a car slowed down while it passes.

Awesome...

Luckily, his mood usually swing back around again just as quickly.

18 comments:

Sprite's Keeper said...

Oy. Sprite has given me a few of those. It's bad enough that they're physically taxing. It's the immediate judgement on your mothering skills by others that always gets me.

The Rambler said...

Ugh...so been there. Wait, I am there. Been implies it's over...and it's not. Once, we were trying to get her in her carseat after shopping and she had let loose. Screaming, kicking and me struggling to strap her in.

People kept staring at me like I was hurting her. I kept looking at them with eyes of no, no, I'm a mother of a 2 year old....she's crazy crazy.

blueviolet said...

Well, your preggo belly would distract everyone from the tantrum and that's a good thing, right?

bernthis said...

it could have been your boob. Just showing you the positive side. I know, how unlike me.

Oh My Goddess said...

I think the kindly grandma was actually putting a hex on him.

Jaime said...

my son's just moving into that lovely temper tantrum stage. tonight's was because he wanted his milk. then didn't want his milk. then wanted it again (you get the picture)

Janie at Sounding Forth said...

That's funny, though i'm sure it wasn't to you!

Keely said...

X does that too. Usually in front of the in-laws, or the judgey elderly neighbours.

Tammy Howard said...

At least it wasn't in the grocery store...

Rachel M. said...

Wow, I'm sorry!

Jeanne said...

I don't think it's serious till their heads start spinning around....

Jenners said...

Well, at least it happened at home...

They are a bit inconstent, these toddlers.

Casey said...

Phew, I know that routine by heart. Jekkyl/Hyde toddlerness is running rampant in this house. Glad you made it home though.

Roshni Mitra Chintalapati said...

I had the same thought as Jessica!! Could've been worse!!
And, I'll tell you something even worse...when your toddler starts pressing your boobs in public for no apparent reason!!

buffalodick said...

Children are barbarians, and knowing that- you can win! Do not deal with them as sane humans with reasoning skills, deal with them as you would a feral animal! They respond, as well they should! Nothing is funnier than an adult dealing with a child, like it's a small adult! Trust me on this... I wish it were no so..

MrsM said...

Toddlers are nuts. They just are-anyone with kids knows this. Don't worry, they grow out of it...and into other stages. LOL

mama-face said...

I don't know if this helps...but this too shall pass. They will wait until you get home from the store to freak out. That never ends. I still do it.

msprimadonna67 said...

The ol' Jeckyll and Hyde act? Oh, yeah--I'm familiar with that trick!