I really did not like my child, this morning. At all.

[LaraMN]

I went to the mall to look for a book for my Mom, and Jack was HORRID in Barnes and Noble. He kept crying in his stroller and would absolutely not keep his shoes or socks on. I gave up and put them in a bag and pushed him around with his feet bare. He wouldn't stop crying and hitting at things, so I thought I'd better stop and get the kids some brunch. Jack said he wanted to eat, then refused everything I offered him, threw a hissy fit, and nearly kicked over our table in the food court, while I was trying to hold him so Sophie could eat. Then he grabbed the handlebars of the stroller and tipped it over, kicked the table and spilled Sophie's milk all over, and kept crying. I tried to hustle the kids to the garbage and out of the mall, and a man came up to me and asked if I was alright. I almost burst into tears.

I got to my car and an elderly woman parked next to me was flipping out, because her car had died, and she was waiting for someone to come jump it, but she was afraid they wouldn't be able to park close enough to her for the cables to reach, so I stayed in my spot so that her helper could park in it when he arrived. She said he would be there "in a few minutes," which, of course, meant 25 minutes, during which time Jack threw numerous screaming fits, and I wanted to shoot myself. I cried half the way home from the store.

I'm supposed to go out for a belated birthday dinner with my friend tonight, and I don't think I'm going to. I feel too crappy to do anything. I haven't wanted a cigarette as bad as I do today, in ages!

:banghead:

[bicentennial_baby]

1. You're an awesome momma, pretty lady

It was a bad day, but now you're home...Remind yourself of the lil man's whale impression and smile...You're doing just fine, even on days like this... :hug:

:loveya:

[LaraMN]

5. Thanks, honey!

He's at preschool right now, or I would probably be in the fetal position in the corner of the living room. He managed to smack Sophie in the face with his big plastic Gooie Louie head, before he left.

:eyes:

[dpbrown]

2. Go spend some time with adults

You deserve it.

:hug:

[LaraMN]

6. I know- I just don't think I'd be very good company.

I took a nice long bath after he left for preschool, but I can't shake my angry, nasty, crabby feelings.

[SeattleGirl]

3. Oh, Lara, what a trying day you've had of it.

I understand what you mean -- there ARE times when, much as we love our children, they behave in a way where we just don't like 'em all that much.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[LaraMN]

8. Sooo true.

I'm so glad to read that you got your car back! That's great news, after your fiasco, yesterday!
:thumbsup: :bounce:

[NC_Nurse]

4. Go out with your friend. You deserve a break.

You did a nice thing for that woman and you let your son live. You're a saint. :)

Take some time for yourself! :hug:

[LaraMN]

9. Lol!

That cracked me up, for some reason. Maybe if I calm down in a few hours, I'll still go.

[Callalily]

7. Not only are you

the best example of a mom that I've seen in a long time (I read your posts and love hearing your mothering stories), you truly are a caring, giving person.

And if you most smoke, here >>>> do it virtually

[LaraMN]

10. Pufffff.....

Thanks- that was "vitually" satisfying.

B-)

[RetroLounge]

11. You have WAY more patience than I do...

25 minutes? I'd have been home by then. Good on you for being a good mom and a good person and also terminally human all at once.

Here's all i can give :hug:

Now go out with your friends tonight and hug a bell-ringer...

:hi:

RL

[LaraMN]

13. I will have you know,

:D
that I very politely ignored the bell ringers at the mall today, BUT when the special-ed van arrived to pick up Jack for preschool, the driver gave me a "little present" for Jack , which included a little ball, a couple mini candy bars, (which was very, very sweet,) and a religious pamphlet, entitled "'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came." :banghead: The driver is a public school employee; she can't do that!

No, I'm not going to yell at her, I'm just throwing the stupid pamphlet away.:eyes:

[hedgehog]

12. Sometimes they just go nuts.

Just be sure he isn't coming down with a cold or an ear infection. I always noticed that the younger kids couldn't take too much shopping. I think they suffer sensory overload.

Also, pat yourself on the back for coming through this in one piece.

[LaraMN]

14. I know. Deep breaths... We only made it through half an hour of shopping.

Jack can be a bit challenging in stores sometimes, but today was just bizarre. You're right, though- I probably should keep an eye out for signs of illness. That would explain his behavior a bit.

[Corgigal]

15. illness, then think they feel the excitement

or stress, of everyone around them at the holidays.

Went grocery shopping yesterday, saw 2 children in a stroller who were both crying. A young boy, around 7, who was running around without an adult. Adult probably couldn't keep up. On the way home I saw two boys, oldest around 13 messing with a younger male, around 10 and pretending he was going to throw him in front of my car.

Kids are crazy right now. I know, I have a few...

[Love Bug]

16. Hang in there, honey

Looks like Jack was on his very best 'birth control' behavior! They all do it, so all you can do is just roll with it.

[brook]

17. Let me just chime in here...

and remind you how much you are loved and admired by all who read your 'life' posts. Of course we all love Jack, too. He's gorgeous and really sweet - except when he isn't. Which is true of any child, anywhere. I remember going to the housewares dept. and buying clothes line to make a harness and leash for my 4 year old. He'd gotten 'lost' 3 times in 20 minutes, fer crying out loud - and there were 3 of us trying to corral him. (He's 46 now - thank God he won't see this post!)

Anyhoo, nice warm bath = good move. Next on the agenda = cool wine with good friend. That's Great-grandma's orders. Okay?

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

Use those as needed.

[SKKY]

18. Hang in there Lara. I know exactly how you must have felt...

...We had our first glimpse into just what kind of terror Sergio can be the other night at the mall. You basically described everything Sergio did, except you left out biting Dad on the shoulder. I've been told that this type of behavior will pass, it's just that for children like Jack and Sergio, the "terrible 2's" can carry over and become the "nasty 9's". Hang in there and keep your chin up.

[SPKrazy]

19. Sounds Like The Shits!

hang in there!

:hug:

[xmas74]

20. I wanted a cig badly last night at work.

I didn't do it.

If I can do it, you can too.

(on edit: damn, a freakin' menthol would be pretty fucking awesome right now! But I still won't do it.)

[laylah]

21. ...

:hug: from someone who has been there, done that, and finally was able to burn the t-shirt!

Because of such a horrible day, you need to go out and treat yourself. You sound like one awesome mama so it is very important to be good to YOU.

The good news is, the good days will outweigh the bad...not that THAT is any consolation right now.

Jenn

[fizzgig]

22. what are you talking about?

i was a saint O8)

and :hug: for you lara, i admire your patience and i think you're a damn good mama and a damn good person

[Taverner]

23. Relax. Pour a bath. Pop open a bottle of wine.

U deserve....

[carly denise pt deux]

24. I remember those days........

my son was about 2-3, had a 11 on the ricter scale fit in the mall.....I was nearly in tears before I got out of the mall, he was punching, kicking, screaming, pulling my hair....people stopped and was staring, I felt like they were staring at me like I was a bad mom or something, I still to this day don't know what his problem was. It all passes, there will be a few more of those days, just always know that there will be more good days than bad.
Carly