Laura’s tantrums have taken on a pattern. By personality, she’s a variable child (what child is not at 3). Tantrums can come at random times and at random places. As Laura’s Mom, I have a very good sense of her moods, sleepiness, tiredness, hunger, thirst, etc. I’ve been doing this for 3 yrs now. But tantrums burst forth at times I don’t expect. By my mometer, she’s fed, rested, entertained, and in good energy.
Sara has discovered the pattern to the variations. Hurrying. This morning, Sara observed, “Laura has now cried 4 mornings in a row.” That was correct. Every morning when we need to leave there have been gnashing of teeth, wailing, something. Taggies, shoes, horse toys. Doesn’t matter. It’s something. Transport has been walking, biking, and van. Still gnashing of teeth with each transportation method.
This morning grated on my nerves. Laura screamed and cried the entire way to school. We walked. It was raining. That’s what we do when it rains. I try not to drive to school. But the morning was warm (ish). The flowers were blooming. The girls often love being out of the bike trailer to run. We splash in puddles, we stop and look at sticks, and we have fun. Not this morning. The tantrum came.
Not shoes, horses, or taggies. Umbrellas. Silly me. I thought umbrellas would be fun. I imaged skipping, playing, twirling with umbrellas. That was a pipe dream. I quickly discovered if a 3yo walks with an umbrella, it’s at a snail’s pace. No running. Unfortunately, we had to make it to school and didn’t have 2 hrs. So the umbrellas went in my backpack. And the screaming began. Oh well.
At school, Laura snuggled with me on a bench with her taggies. The day was redeemed by Darcy and Helen. We went to Honore Bakery. Darcy drove us. We had a warm place, fresh squeezed OJ, hot chocolate, pain au chocolate, and pear frangoline (?). Amazing, healing, lovely, energy restoring. The line was long, but we snagged seats. Laura switched then. She smiled. She wanted to have a playdate with Helen. We skipped home through the rain. There was giggling and happiness. It’s the walk I dreamed of; I just got it later.
