Tantrum Central

I've posted before about how we've entered what appears to be the "terrible two's". There are tantrums and then there are TANTRUMS, which I had the lucky pleasure of witnessing for the first time today.

Lucy is a strong willed little girl. She's stubborn and determined. When this kid wants to do something, she will stop at nothing to do it. On the other hand if she doesn't want to do something, she will fight tooth and nail to avoid it. I know as she gets older this will become a wonderful trait for her. She will achieve whatever she sets her mind to and I can't fault her for that. That doesn't mean that I've been ready for what ensued today...in public...at the busiest time of day...in front of the whole base (at least that's how it felt).

We've been doing time outs a lot lately. Lucy has decided that anything she touches is "Lucy's toy/bike/pool/park/etc". It makes for a great learning lesson on sharing, but usually has a time out attached to it. While at the KMCC (its like a mall here for us military people) Lucy was playing at the indoor playground and refused to let her BFF, Rori, play on a toy with her. After attempting to get her to share with no success, she got a time out. This time out included a shoe removal by her, which she has learned drives me bananas.

After learning to share with Rori, they played for a while and we decided it was time for lunch. Lunch at the food court is always a treat for both of us. Lucy was excited as we walked to order chicken "nuggies" at her favorite restaurant. Out of nowhere she stops and starts SCREAMING. I turn around and ask her, "Lucy-What is wrong?" After trying to coax her to come closer to me, she refuses and begins to throw an all out TANTRUM right there on the floor.

Oh my goodness, the stares she was getting. At first people giggled a little, "how cute? She's so dramatic" they were all thinking as they smiled at me. I knew better...this was not going to end pretty.

I walked over to her, asked her why she was crying. She got very angry at this point, so I put her in a time out. Oh my, did that make things worse. Now she is yanking, literally YANKING off her shoes and throwing them across the floor. Instead of picking them up, I leave them where they are. I figure part of her punishment will be picking up her shoes. The next thing I know she's reaching into my purse and looking for more stuff to throw.

I know...WHAT THE HECK?!

I pull my purse away and she appears to be calming down. I ask her if she wants lunch? Her answer: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
as loud as she can possibly scream. Now the stares of "oh how cute!" have turned into "what the hell is that lady doing to her kid?!" As embarassed as I am, I bend down and tell her, quietly "you either need to calm down so we can go get lunch or we are going home. Please relax sweetie"

um yeah...that did not work. She decides to hit me.

This is clearly unacceptable. I tell her so, pick her up and tell her we are saying good bye to her friend and going home. Obviously this was met with serious protest. She began to hit and scratch me as we went to say good bye. We walk outside and she starts to calm down. I consider for a brief second that maybe we can go back. Then she does the most awful thing a 2 year old can do. The one thing she has control over and knows it.

She pees on me.

PEES ON ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course she thinks this will get her back in the mall/KMCC because we'll have to change her pants. No way Jose, I told her. I marched her right to the car and changed her into new underwear and pants. Man was she mad...she begged and begged to go back. I told her "No way little monkey, I am cover in PEE! PEE!!!" As I received more stares and scowls from people in the parking lot at our heated battle outside the car, I thought I was going to lose it.

We got in the car, drove home and she went right down to her room for some cooling off time. Because, ladies and gentlemen, this 2 year old cried the whole 15 minute car ride home. She kicked the seats, threw toys around the car and cried the whole way home.

I told her she needed 5 minutes of alone time while I cleaned up and changed clothes. By the time I came back to check on her, she was asleep. Obviously the 30 minute tantrum had taken its toll on her.

I let her nap and decided it was better for both of us. I ate my lunch in peace, she rested and got over whatever was bothering her.

When she woke up an hour and a half later, we tried to talk. I still don't know what it was the set her off. But I made sure she understood that it was unacceptable behavior and it would not happen again. She said she was sorry without any prompting and we proceeded to have a much better afternoon.

Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do if she starts to urinate on herself when she wants her way. I know her school won't deal with it well and I certainly won't either. If anyone has any idea on how to stop her from doing that, I'd love to hear them. I can handle tantrums, even TANTRUMS, but I can't handle the peeing thing.

I love her dearly and keep telling myself that her strong will is something that will help her succeed in life. But oh my goodness do I hope the terrible twos end soon......