A young life, ruined.
We've been doing a lot of work around here on whining. NOT whining, that is. Overall, it's been going pretty well. My approach has been mostly calm talking, saying things like "take a deep breath, try again" and "use your other voice, I'll wait" and "woah, that doesn't sound like you, let's try another way to say it". Most of the time, as long as I'm not rushing anyone around, it works fine.
So imagine my surprise today when none of those tactics worked. While we were at Target. It went something like this:
Martin: I want that toyyyyy! NOW!
Me: We're looking for a birthday present for Riley, we're not shopping for us today. Try again.
Martin: This is the worst day of my life!
Me: I hope that's true, because then the rest of your life should be AWESOME.
Martin: You are ruining my life!
Me: Boy, I hope that's not true, let's look in this aisle for a nice present for Riley.
Martin: That toy looks nice, FOR ME!
It went on like that for, oh, probably 45 minutes. I countered with every smooth-talking nice-momma thing I could think of, imagining the whole time that I was the star of a family sitcom where I was the witty, laugh-getting momma. I thought I was hilarious, I could almost hear the laugh tracks in my head. We made it out of the store with only one person crying (and it wasn't me).
Now I only hope that I can get everyone to bed early, because if its the worst day of your life ending the turmoil early would be a bonus.
So imagine my surprise today when none of those tactics worked. While we were at Target. It went something like this:
Martin: I want that toyyyyy! NOW!
Me: We're looking for a birthday present for Riley, we're not shopping for us today. Try again.
Martin: This is the worst day of my life!
Me: I hope that's true, because then the rest of your life should be AWESOME.
Martin: You are ruining my life!
Me: Boy, I hope that's not true, let's look in this aisle for a nice present for Riley.
Martin: That toy looks nice, FOR ME!
It went on like that for, oh, probably 45 minutes. I countered with every smooth-talking nice-momma thing I could think of, imagining the whole time that I was the star of a family sitcom where I was the witty, laugh-getting momma. I thought I was hilarious, I could almost hear the laugh tracks in my head. We made it out of the store with only one person crying (and it wasn't me).
Now I only hope that I can get everyone to bed early, because if its the worst day of your life ending the turmoil early would be a bonus.
Deja Vu. I did this once with Andra, but wasn't' quite so much getting the laugh tracks. After none of MY tactics worked, we headed out sans gift - but only after I said "I think you are going to feel pretty bad when you get a nice present from your sister for Christmas and you don't have a present for her because you couldn't pick something without wanting one for yourself."
After a pause, Andra said "Mom, if I could wish for anything in the world." (Here it comes I was thinking) "I would wish Pop Pop was out of his wheelchair." I was so surprised, and moved. From wretched to wonderful - right before my eyes.
Unfortunately, when we got to Pop Pop's house, he was on the floor - having fallen out of his wheelchair, and I couldn't help but think "Whoa! Be a little careful what you wish for girl!"
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