You Get What You Get... And You Still Got Upset

Luckily, Molly doesn't pitch too many fits. One of my favorite mommy lines is from Pinkalicious - "You get what you get and you don't get upset." Usually that works.

But not last night.

We varied from our routine and Rain Main went nuts.

Normally Daddy bounces Molly on her bed before bath. I played the role of bouncer last night since Daddy was finishing up something else. And I wasn't bouncing her high enough. So when I informed her it was time for bath, someone decided to throw an all-out tantrum.

So, I calmly informed her that bath needed to be done by 8:30 or there would be no story.

"But I NEEEEEEEEEED a story!!! " came the cry from the bedroom, followed by 10 minutes of, "I WAAAAANT a story. I NEEEEEED A STORY!!!!!"

So we quickly bathed her (much to her dismay) and put her in her pjs in between sobs. As I put her into bed, I pulled out my best mommy line yet:

"I really want to read you a story. But because you were throwing a fit, we've run out of time. I hope we can read a story tomorrow night. That's my favorite time of the day."

And after 10 minutes of sobbing (well, 10 minutes plus the previous 45 of fit-throwing), she fell asleep.

As far as ages go, two is easy, three is fun... and four is completely bi-polar.

"Mommy, I'm Worried..."

Let me start off by writing that you are a very good sleeper. You always have been. (Thank GOD.) Luckily, Daddy and I got you into a routine early. There were a few on-and-off bouts. But after fighting through a couple “crying it out” phases, it’s paid off.

However, every so often, you try out a new stalling tactic.

Your latest is “Mommy, can you come here for a minute, please? I need to tell you something.” With a lead-in like that, it’s hard to resist. Upon entering your darkened room, I ask, “Yes, Molly?”

“Mommy,” you reply, “I’m worried.”

“Worried about what?”

At that point, I can almost hear the wheels in your mind turning... searching... trying to find something to be worried about.

Last week, you were worried about your elephants. “They trumpet in the night,” you explained to me very earnestly. “And they wake up my friends.” (A.k.a. the 12,000 stuffed animals in your bed.) “The trumpeting scares them, Mommy.” We identified Uncle Elmer (your elephant from Build-a-Bear) as the lead offender in the midnight trumpeting raids. So I had a very stern talk with him… and you went right to sleep.

Last night, you called again. “Mommy, I’m worried…” and I could see you searching around your room for something to worry you. Finally, you found something: “I’m worried about Hippo.”

“Hippo? Hippo is fine. He's on the back of your rocking chair.”

“Yes. I think he doesn’t like it there.”

“Would he rather be in bed with you?”

“Yes, Mommy.”

And after that, silence.

Daddy and I always love the creative, interesting ways you try to lure us back to your room. With Daddy, you always ask for pats and scratches on your back… and he can never turn that down. Or, sometimes, it’s the call of “Just one more kiss, Mommy.” And I will N E V E R turn that down.