It Finally Happened

Our first full on, all out, kicking, screaming, crying public meltdown. She's acted out in public before but always been able to rein it in. Not tonight. We always gauge our evening activites on what kind of day she has at daycare. Good day means we can go out and do things. Bad day means we go home. Good day means we come home and she can watch some TV if she chooses. Bad day means no TV. So, today was a great day. Our local fire dept was doing open house tours as part of national fire safety week. So we go to the firehouse and get our tour. She did awesome. They were handing out tokens for a free kids meal at Texas Roadhouse. So, since there was a great day and she did so well at the firehouse, we decide to go to TR for dinner. She usually does great there. She was doing great... until her sprite spilled on her and it was all over. The waiter brought her a new drink and the complete meltdown happened because I half opened her straw instead of letting her do it all by herself. It eventually led to the complete meltdown. I had to carry her out of the restaurant- holding her legs so she wouldn't kick the innocent bystanders. So she and I spent the rest of our time in the car while Daddy and Zach enjoyed their dinner inside. She continued the full on screaming, flailing, kicking, practically convulsing fit for a while. Eventually settled down and got to eat a piece of chicken in the car on the drive home. I was very proud of myself because I didn't lose my patience. It's been a bit of an issue for me lately. Something I've really been struggling with... anger seems to boil up so much more frequently these days. I'm not sure if it is me or if she has just found ways to push buttons that I didn't know I had. But I never felt the anger spark with our situation tonight. And I was quite proud of that!! Bad mom syndrome again... editing my post to add the proof. I have this friend who refuses to believe that my child could ever be so posessed as to have these screaming meltdowns... So, I confess. After leaving the restaurant and getting her into the car, I stood outside of the car for a moment and then got out my camera phone. And videoed 30 seconds of meltdown. The first 15 seconds are Teagan trying to hide... and then she gives in and lets the tantrum take over again. I'm thinking this would be an awesome ringtone...