Hey there, little one! I Won’t Let Your Meltdown Get the Best of Me

home insemination Kit

Today was the kind of day that sticks in your memory—a whirlwind of chaos that felt never-ending. It all kicked off bright and early at 5:30 a.m. when my little three-year-old, who had been under the weather, woke up way too early and was desperate to color. And that’s where our first battle began, long before the sun rose and my coffee was brewed. Over crayons, of all things!

“They’re right there on the table, sweetheart!” I said, trying to keep my cool. But in that whiny voice that makes you want to cringe, she whined back, “But my legs are soooo tired. Bring them to me!” Um, no thank you.

Twenty minutes later, after completely tuning out her tantrum, I realized how liberating it can be to not engage. It’s funny how she could muster the energy to yell and tug at my shirt but was too exhausted to reach for the crayons.

Next up was my six-year-old, who was a bit grumpy. She was worried I might be leaving for a vacation, especially since my mom, who usually watches the kids, just got out of the hospital after dealing with pneumonia. “I don’t want you to go! I just want to be with you!” she sobbed.

After breakfast, I sensed another meltdown brewing. It started with my outfit choice (apparently, it was horrible), then the braids I did weren’t tight enough, and finally, an epic struggle ensued when she couldn’t go to the bathroom. “Why aren’t you helping me?!” she shouted, as if everything was my fault.

In my sweetest voice, I said, “Oh honey! Just push it out, push, push!” To which she replied, “I’m not going to camp!” I took a deep breath and talked to her about positive self-talk, knowing she needed some reassurance. But after a few minutes, I needed a break, so I whispered a little prayer, asking for the strength to stay calm.

Then it happened. I brought her some apple juice with probiotics to soothe her tummy, and when I handed it to her, she knocked it out of my hands. Anger bubbled up inside me, and I was about to yell “Noooo!!!” but instead, I bit my tongue. “I understand you’re feeling sad and frustrated, and that’s perfectly fine. But it’s not okay to act out like that. Now, please clean up and get dressed.”

Just the night before, I had called my husband to cancel our much-anticipated trip—his birthday getaway and the first time we’d be alone in nearly two years. Guilt washed over me; I was worried the kids would be a handful without my mom’s help. Yet, oddly enough, their behavior reminded me how much I needed a break, motivating me to make that trip happen one way or another.

In the end, she went to art camp, albeit reluctantly, and surprisingly had a great time. I walked away with some important lessons from my little sweethearts today: No matter how cranky you are, you can’t ruin my day unless I allow it. Change can be tough, but we’ll all get through it. Routines are great, but sometimes new experiences are what we really need.

Alas, our trip had to be postponed, and my dreams of a vacation will have to wait. But I now feel refreshed and ready with new strategies for handling their outbursts. Fingers crossed that I remember this when they inevitably act out again, which will probably be tomorrow when I opt for pancakes instead of waffles.

Anyone up for babysitting?

In case you’re interested in more parenting insights, check out our other blog posts, like this one on home insemination, or visit Make a Mom for expert resources on the topic. If you’re curious about pregnancy, here’s an excellent resource from WHO.

In summary, even the toughest days can teach us valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of taking breaks. Keep your chin up!