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We are deep into it here at Princess Tater Tot’s house. Deep into the learning that you don’t always get everything you want exactly when you want it, if at all. And it’s causing a little havoc for The Mommy. Of course I don’t want to give in when she starts throwing a fit. Okay, I want to give in just a little. But I don’t. Because she’s a smart cookie and would immediately get THAT connection. But it is excrutiating sometimes to see and hear her cry and carry on.

Mommy Tip: If you’re headed to a new place for a playdate, mapquest the address and/or print out the directions to take with you. See below.

Yesterday we were headed home from a failed attempt to attend a group play date (directions were a little off and I hadn’t bothered to mapquest the address…Duh, Mommy) and we stopped to get a Jamba Juice for me. Tater Tot was fine in the store, dancing to the music and generally being cute. Once I got the drink, however, all hell broke loose! I tried to put her in her car seat but she arched and squirmed until I figured out she wanted my drink. I thought “Okay, let’s try drinking out of a straw for the first time.” So, I held the straw to her mouth and she refused. She put her little hand on the cup and drew it in to her like it was a prized possession. Aw, crap. I took it away and the wailing started up again. Put it back and the wailing stopped. Oh, no no no no no. Mommy is not going to let my 19 month old hang onto my brightly colored juice drink that is only protected from flowing out all over The Tot and my back seat by a flimsy plastic lid while driving. Call me Mean Mommy but that just ain’t gonna happen. So I calmly explained to her that Mommy needed to drink her juice and took the cup away. She cried for 10 minutes straight. And I’m not just talking about crying. There was wailing and flailing and general inconsolability. As a side note, I have noticed in other tantrums that she’s got the foot-stomping down pretty well already, too. It’s hard not to laugh. But I digress.

Finally, as we neared home, Mr. Duckie saved the day. Don’t ask me how I was able to do this while driving (and don’t tell The Daddy) but, I was able to play “Peeky” with The Tot over the back of the seat with Mr. Duckie whilst navigating the traffic and general mayhem that goes with driving. Do not try this at home. She started to giggle and the spell was broken. We got home and there were a few more whimpers and a wail or two as we were getting lunch ready but the tantrum was basically over. She was so tired. Poor thing.

I know that this is only the beginning and it’s likely to get worse before it gets better but I am resolved to be reasonable about what to refuse her and to be consistent with not giving in. This is where my years working in a group home with emotionally disturbed teens and as a social worker for teenaged boys on probation really will serve me well. If there’s anything that I learned at those two jobs, it was to be CON-SIS-TENT. Not that I’m comparing The Tot to emotionally disturbed girls or boys on probation. She’s my sweet little angel but a typical toddler. Both The Mommy and The Daddy have a bit of a stubborn streak, too. So she comes by it honestly…