Felix was able to stay home late this morning, so while Levi was taking his morning nap Emma & I went to the gym. I got in a great step workout and Emma had fun playing in the daycare room. A good time was had by all.
We came home, I quickly showered, Felix left for work and I fed the kids lunch before bringing them out to play with some friends at the YMCA. It was great to meet up with friends, I sat and chatted with my friend while Levi played on the floor in front of me and Emma was running around the playroom playing with her friend.
Eventually, Emma came over to me wanting to take her socks off, which was against the rules. I explained she couldn't, but she fought me on it, wriggling and yelling and throwing her socks until a "time-out" was inevitable. As I picked her up to leave the room for her time-out, she let out a big "ahhhhhhhh" scream and then....she did it. Swung her hand back and slapped it hard right on my cheek. It actually stung. And I was mortified, embarrassed, and flat-out furious! I wanted to throw her in the car and make her go home, but our friends had met us there to play, so I didn't think that would be fair. I brought her out of the room for a time-out, but she couldn't have cared less. After sitting in time out, she gave my "boo boo" a kiss and said sorry and was instructed to do "good listening".
What followed? The short of it is this: she pushed her friend off the balance beam, she stuck out her bottom while standing on the steps of the slide, just enough so her friend who was behind her would fall off, and finally, threw a major tantrum including rolling around on the floor when she couldn't have the cookies another girl was eating. At this point, I simply walked out of the YMCA with Levi in my arms- knowing she would follow, crying & screaming. And she did. Until the doors literally shut behind her. It was like someone sprinkled fairy dust on her and she immediately went back to her normal, happy-go-lucky self, acting as if NOTHING had just happened in there. Well, let me tell you, THIS momma just wasn't having it! I remained completely calm throughout the entire afternoon, but inside I was absolutely fuming.
The funny thing is, for a 2 year old, once the incident is over- it is over. There is no stewing over it, staying angry for hours. And so, when we got to the house and I picked her up out of her carseat, her tiny little body just wrapped itself around me, arms squeezed tight around my neck so I wouldn't drop her on the slippery snow, and I just wanted to squeeze her back and kiss her sweet cheeks.
But, we certainly have some work to do. I've heard way too many "THAT'S MINE" and seen way too many floor-rolling tantrums these last few weeks. Sorry little chicken, you have some hard-love coming your way........
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