It might be freezing outside, but thanks to our own Hurricane Mateo, we got to experience a meltdown of major proportions on our way home from Bemidji today. Whew, was it a doozy! Every few months it seems we are treated to one of these very special episodes. Maybe he was just trying to warm things up because, granted, it has been ridiculously cold as of late. But not to worry, within the first few minutes of our drive home, Troy and I were getting a little hot under the collar from the whining, crying, and forceful demands of an over-tired three-year-old.
Mateo was in one of those moods that no soothing, consoling, deal-making, stern-talking, hair-pulling, time-out-threatening, computer-time-privilege-yanking, out-of-control-child-ignoring parenting tactics would resolve. After a full twenty minutes of whining turned to yelling, crying turned to sobbing, and kicking his feet so that his boots fell off, he finally wore himself, along with our patience, out. At one point, Mateo told us he wanted his grandma because she was nice and we weren't. Oh, and did I mention the three times Troy had to stop the car and pull over after Mateo unbuckled his car seat strap because he wanted me to be his "friend" and sit next to him?
About three minutes before we got to Bagley, Mateo realized that he was tired and actually agreed with me when I told him he should rest when we got home. The last few minutes of the ride were blissfully quiet! As soon as we got inside the house, I settled Mateo in for a nap that took all of a minute before he fell asleep.
Unfortunately, he didn't sleep as long as he should have. As I write this, Troy is dealing with another time-out. I think this January deep-freeze is making one little hurricane a little stir crazy!
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3 comments:
thanks for the laugh...reminds me so much of Maison when he was a little guy! sweet as pie most of the time, but boy when the tantrum started, you just had to endure it! believe me, they grow up fast & soon Mateo will be begging to drive you around for practice, like Maison is doing lately (he recently achieved his learner's permit). YIKES!
I was hoping someone could sympathize with me! I am realizing just how fast they do grow up. I can hardly believe Maison is driving. Pretty soon you'll go from full-time chauffeur to Maison and EmaLeigh offering to drive everywhere! Mateo has already told us that when he gets bigger his dad is going to teach him how to drive. Then he (Mateo) can drive to the neighbors!
Rachel used to hold her breath until she all but passed out. I didn't know if I should be scared or angry -- but felt a combination of both. The tough part was to remain calm and to remember that I was the adult in the situation. It's not easy taking the high road! More often than not, I acted like a child, too. :) Hang in there; this too shall pass!
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