Temper temper

I've been hoping she would somehow magically avoid it, but it looks like Anya is now entering the dreaded "terrible two's" stage. For any parents reading this with older children, you know it doesn't start when the clock strikes midnight on their second birthday.

She throws a tantrum at the drop of a hat these days; almost always when she doesn't get her way (or get it quickly enough). I ignore her for the most part when that happens, or try distraction techniques that only sometimes work. To date, she's only had one MAJOR meltdown. That was yesterday afternoon. We were at the park and she wanted to swing. Unfortunately the bucket swings were in use by other toddlers. I asked if she wanted to sit on my lap on a regular swing until it was her turn. Ooooh no. She flipped out, started screaming, got all rigid and then sat on the ground in the throes of a major fit. I tried to ignore, and then took her to the slide across the playground, where the meltdown continued when I wouldn't let her go down a "fire pole". So I carried her kicking and screaming to the car and we went home. Meanwhile, other park goes were starting at us. I'd like to assume the moms were thinking "oh, yeah, I know how that goes" instead of "what a terrible mom". Either way, it was kind of embarrassing.

I talked to my friend Tracey (mom of a just-turned 3 year old) and she laughed, saying that behavior will become a daily occurrence and I'll quickly learn to tune it out. I really hope so. Because at the moment, returning to work (ANY work!) is mighty tempting, as the seemingly near-constant "WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" is getting a bit old. I guess if we're going to look on the bright side, I've become really good at controlling my own temper and becoming a much more patient person....with regards to children anyway.