4.
1 to Big, 2 to Small, and 1 to me 🙁 This is no way to spend a weekend.
Yesterday was pleasant but pplful, which I think then had a knock on effect to today. But how else are we supposed to do it? Calm children, but no friends, because we can never find time to see them?
Barbara came over for the afternoon, and we caught up somewhat, then Jan and Jonathan popped in unexpectedly, with just Jasper, having disposed of their other offspring (but only temporarily, I’m assured 😉 ) and stopped for a cuppa and to help us drool some more over houses.
Today, I had planned to *do things* with the children. This was instantly derailed by a call from Big’s oldest friend, who is in the process of moving further south, offering a playdate. So that was her off and about, but we had to fall out over her hair first. Is it asking too much that a five (very nearly six) year old makes some attempt to brush her hair? Probably given that I rarely brush mine 😳 Nevertheless, she has promised to make attempts daily in future, and then amazed me by successfully putting it into a pony tail.
We proceeded to fall out over her coat – she has issues with outerwear, and at the same time, Small decided to assert his independence and refuse to come anywhere near me to get his shoes on. I got as far as the door without them both, having wailed at Tim about it all, but that prompted a sudden change of heart on both their parts.
Dropped off Big, and drove away with a screaming kicking Small, desolate that he wasn’t going on the playdate as well. He kept it up for nearly 10 minutes as we got stuck in traffic (on a Sunday, I ask you!) then fell asleep.
And now I’ve got to go sort the third load of washing out, and tidy the kitchen. May well be back later though.
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16 responses to “Tantrum count”
Oh gosh, if it’s any consolation we have the hair brushing issue here with the girls (after 6 and 8 years of having their hair done every day you’d hav ethought they’d have learned), and the coat-wearing issue with Josiah. He did finally admit that he was cold at the park the other day in just a short sleeved t-shirt, but still refuses to wear a coat most of the time!
Hope the rest of your Sunday was nicer 🙂
Hannah hates coats, although she has just been bought a rather snazzy one by my mum, so hopefully that will change. She went out this afternoon wearing and old fleece on mine becuase it “smelt nice”, and looked a total tramp. Hair – don’t get me started….
Well, we’ve had a couple more tantrums from Small, who seems incredibly tired, and I’m beginning to feel like someone has rung me out, but I think we’re in the home stretch. Not sure whether its politic to say that it’s good to know we are not alone in our traumas 🙂
hmm, well I have blogged our coat tantrum!
Sorry to have to tell you this Jax,but we have hairbrushinf tantrums….age 10
lol, well you know how I avoid hair tantrums 😉 My mum threatened (jokingly!) to shave Buttercup’s head tonight …
They’re not all so easily avoidable though – wishing you strength!
After threatening to book her in at the hairdressers on weds, she astonished me by washing her hair sensibly (ie without turning it into a mat!) then willingly brushed it out herself after bathtime….
we had had a half hour run in over reading though! lol
Jax, don’t think the hairbrushing issues stop with age. Small person *still* doesn’t do her hair properly, aged 12 and we have regular ‘moments’ (ie when I lose it with her after her moaning that her hair doesn’t look nice!)
Oh, and the coat thing is also an issue here too. It takes a miracle for her to admit she is actually cold. Trouble is – it ain’t ‘cool’ to wear a coat…..
Re-arrange this popular phrase or saying: losing….battles….fighting.
children get chucked a hairbrush in the car, usually. and often that’s where I do mine too so…
and coats… hm… if she’s in the car then in the house what does it matter if she gets cold for 2 minutes in between?
not saying I don’t need to read ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ myself, though… different triggers here though… food and tidying up mostly!
I’m obviously far too bossy. Hair and coats get done or I go mental. I drag the brush through their hair and tie it up everyday unless I don’t feel like it, they have no choice :-). I’m the parent.
I still have to remind Carys to brush her hair and she still doesn’t do it properly and she’s 7. I let them go without coats just long enough to get cold and ask me for one and then pretend we don’t have any 🙂 Horrible mother, me. I’m having daily tantrums at the moment so you’re not alone!
We still have hairbrushing issues and a sock problem with Zoe, I keep the boys hair very short as hairwashing and brushing was too stressful, (I often threaten Zoe with head shaving!!!)Jake is will not wear a coat unless it rains, but he totally refuses to wear trousers – will only wear shorts! So glad to see its not just me!!
So glad I have boys…
(Yeah, I know, that wasn’t very helpful, was it?)
Hmm,well I have boys and girls and the boys have long hair so….it’s not a female only issue around here.
Lol, Ernest has just last week started putting on trousers rather than shorts – but then my brother wore shorts to school all year round until he was 9, so I really don’t think it’s a problem 🙂
I like that my kids prefer to decide for themselves what to wear and how to look. Having not been forced into wearing coats they’re all totally sensible about outerwear, and will simply decide for themselves, ask me what the weather’s like, or – usually – open the door and stand outside for a moment to gauge what’s needed. If I am really convinced that they might be cold, I just offer to take a coat or extra jumper with us, and they’re usually grateful for the consideration. I’d never make them get cold to learn a lesson!
Erm and Jax – I have to ask – how come she has to brush her hair but you don’t?
Mainly because her hair turns into a mat otherwise, and then it can’t be put up for ballet, and I tease mine out in the shower so that it doesn’t 😉
I like that Big chooses her own clothes, she’s pretty good at it. But the coat thing is a pain – she will quite cheerfully turn blue and make herself ill, just because this coat is too short, or that one has tight sleeves or, or, or….