Monday, March 17, 2008

Of Toddlers and Tornadoes

Thank goodness we were three miles from where the tornado initially touched down on Friday night. Those that we know who live close by only lost power and a few other friends and acquaintances were witnesses who thankfully came away with only interesting stories. Driving downtown today, it was a bit creepy to see glass windows blown out of high rise office buildings and hotels. But the city seems to have an air of relief, knowing it could have been a lot worse.

But all this storm watching and tornado talk seems very similar to day-to-day life with a toddler. Or at least my toddler. One minute, we're happy-go-lucky, the next moment, we're screaming, going limp and making a scene. Typically, this is when we're in public because I'm trying to redirect him from a dangerous activity or back towards the planned activity at hand. I'm starting to take it personally - that maybe I am "that" mom who can't handle their kid. The mom who needs to call in Supernanny, stat. Today at the zoo with several other moms and their boys, mine seemed to be the only one running off and then screaming when I collected him.

I just don't understand how we can go from zero to sixty on the cranky meter in .05 seconds. It's like we constantly have a tantrum watch in effect - conditions favorable for a meltdown. The frustrating part is that sometimes he is easily diffused by a soothing word, a silly stomping dance or a tickle. Other times, those things don't work at all.

I am hoping that it's "just" the terrible twos and as long as we keep working on it we'll come out relatively unscathed on the other side.

Until then, I'm hoping that the Weather Channel can start issuing toddler tantrum warnings so I have time to take cover.

2 comments:

Stephanie said...

I'm glad you all are safe! On the toddler front, just know that all of us moms can sympathize! Ours isn't as old as your yet, but when we went out to eat Sunday night, he had a meltdown halfway through the meal. We ended up having to ask the waitress to box up our entrees so we could finish them at home (and put him to bed!. Of course, I guess that's what we get for going out on a day he only had a 45 minute nap.

penelope said...

Love your analogy. :) It would be sooo helpful to have a warning in advance of the tantrums. And maybe an underground shelter, too?