Okay, I gave Thomas the Train one last try today. I thought it would be fine because we had more time to spend there so Noah would be able to play for longer. Well, it was yet another drama-filled experience. When we first got there there were two other little boys playing there. Their mom had them give Noah a few trains so everyone was playing great. Well, a couple of times the boys each took a train from Noah and he got really mad. The mom made them give them back but when it happened again Noah freaked out and the mom took the boys and left. She said it was time for them to go anyway, but I felt really bad. I know it's annoying that the boys took Noah's train but honestly, his reaction was a little much. Ugh. So then he got the trains all to himself for awhile but when other little kids would come to play of course I would make him share the trains. He was okay with it (reluctantly) with the first little boy came, but when boy #2 and then #3 came up Noah really started having a hard time. Then when one little boy took a train that Noah had deemed "his" he lost it. I ended up carrying him out of the store (in one arm while I pushed Sam's stroller with the other) with him crying and yelling and trying to push me away.
So here's the thing. Noah thankfully does not take things from other kids. And he's fine to play with other kids as long as everyone minds their own business. And sharing is hard but he's even okay with that too, up to a point. But when someone takes something from him it's like all hell breaks loose. I'm glad that he at least isn't a push-over, but I could really do without these over-the-top reactions. Plus, then it takes him forever to get over it. After we left Barnes and Noble today every single little thing would set him back off. So he ended up wailing all through Target too. It's so embarassing for me! A lot of people give me understanding looks, but I also got a lot of "can't you control your child" looks too. Please tell me this is all just age-appropriate and I don't need to be worried. In any event, I've decided that Thomas the Train has way too much potential for stress and drama so I am never taking Noah there again. That's for dang sure. And I did get smart after Target and I skipped my last errand altogether.
Ugh. He's calmly eating his lunch now and hopefully he will take a good nap today. If Nice Mommy doesn't get a long break, Mean Mommy's going to take over (okay, I admit it - she's already here).
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
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4 comments:
I can relate to you 100%. All three of my boys have thoroughly enjoyed playing with the Thomas tables in Barnes & Noble and Toys R Us, but there always seemed to be some sort of problem if others tried to come along and play also. Not to mention the difficult time I had when it was time to leave. I often thought that I needed one at home, but I have learned from experience that my kids love certain toys when we are out or over at a friends, but the minute they get their own they don't seem interested in it anymore. I have always said that when we get them something like that we need to keep it at someone elses house so they will still like it :) I have also had some pretty stressful times leaving a store with a screaming child. I can remember several times with Daniel that he would lose it over something while in Walmart doing some major shopping and I still had to get through the check out. It is so embarassing. I tried to minimize eye contact with people and just calmly smiled while I would unload $200+ worth of groceries onto the conveyor.. For the most part I would go home sweaty and frazzled and vowing that I just couldn't go shopping with Daniel at that age (inevitably I would have a time or two that I would have to, though). It does seem to pass... thank goodness. You are such a great mom and your boys are precious.. give them some big hugs from Aunt Shelley!
You are not a Mean Mom. You are very patient, but sometimes little boys--even little girls--have a bad day. This, too, shall pass. When you are my age, you will remember those days and long for the closeness that you had with your sons. Cherish these times. They are but a fleeting moment!
Oh gosh Amy - you should see Savannah! She's super posessive of anything she is playing with (and even sometimes things that she isn't playing with - but still are hers) to the point where she'll hit and push. It is *so* embarassing for me - I swear I can reason with her to share until I am blue in the face - but she just can't stop herself.
I remember reading in one of my parenting books that 2 year olds just do not have the skills to "empathize". The world revolves around them and that's all they know. It sort of helps when I think she just doesn't have the tools to be able to empathize with friends and someday it will be better. It has to right? ;)
Just know you are so not alone! :)
Isn't being a Mom always wonderful!!!
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