Tantrum Land

May 23, 2013
18 months, 4 days

My beautiful baby boy is 18 months old.  18 months.  I look at this boy my husband and I created and I can't help but be in awe: his flowing blonde locks, quizzical blue eyes, contagious laugh, speedy toddle...what a miracle life is. 

He doesn't talk much yet but I look at his face and I know he knows.  He knows what I am saying to him - knows when he wants to listen and knows when he really doesn't want to listen.  I can almost see his thought process in his eyes as he tries to determine if it's worth putting up a fight.  I patiently wait and pray for the former. 

A year ago....how far we've come!

When it's the latter?  Sigh.  He's a toddler.  What do toddlers do?  They through tantrums.  Marvelous moments where they have seemingly lost all control over their bodies and minds.  Colter?  He'll claw at me, slap me, bite me (if I'm lucky enough to be holding him when he doesn't get what he wants)....if he's standing, he drops to the ground in such a fury that it looks painful.  But a few seconds pass and his little head peeks up from under his arms to see if it's worth leaving Tantrum Land.  Priceless. 

I'm learning, slowly but surely, how to avoid these "precious" moments.  Prevention is key.  I made the rookie mistake at the grocery store of taking away a block of cheese from Colter and putting it on the checkout lane.  Toddlers need warning: preparation for these landmark events.  I gave him none.  Instantaneously my son began to throw a rather loud tantrum.  Seated in the grocery cart, he flung his head back and forth (while screaming bloody murder) until I had to pick him up for fear of seriously injuring himself. 

Take note:  at this point it is all but useless to offer the cheese back.  He's way past that now.  He's in Tantrum Land:  the magnificent land where a parent has no control.  I picture little gnomes in Tantrum Land running around with chocolate chips and gummy bears.  Chocolate milk flows in rivers and graham cracker bears swim in it.  The ride-on bikes have oreo wheels.  Some days Tantrum Land is the place to be.  Other days the milk runs dry and there are only gnomes eating carrots and zucchini. 

This terrifies me...but apparently toddlers like them.

Those rocks?  They're chocolate too.



I suppose I'd like to hang out here too.

At the grocery store? Colter's hanging out with the gnomes and chocolate in Tantrum Land.  There are no veggies today.  At home I could let it dwindle itself out.  Gummy bears have to run out eventually.  But I'm in public.  Oh God, help me.

Think oreo wheels...

Anywho, I pick up my child to try to calm him and I happen to glance around (as any first time mother does with her very first grocery store tantrum) and everyone is looking at me.  And they are all giving me the most horrible looks.  And all I can think is, "Come on, people!! I know someone of you are parents....and this has totally happened to you!  A little grace, please!!!"  Meanwhile, Colter is trying to slap my face and it is almost my turn to check out.  My mind is not working and I can't seem to get my child to come back from Tantrum Land. 

A few minutes pass (or eternity...) and by some grace of God, my child stops screaming and starts to giggle.  I think to myself, "He risked a peek.  The graham cracker bunnies ran out."  I risk a glance behind us and there is little ol' grandpa making faces at my son.  I wanted to run and give him the biggest hug.  But, I dare not risk doing anything sudden.  I check-out and give grandpa a "you are my lifesaver and I will remember you forever" smile.  He understands - he's been there.  Probably more than once too.

Go, little man, go!

Gardening with my boys.  So much better than Tantrum Land.