The Best Laid Plans

Last evening was a bit of a disaster. What started out to be a pretty good evening, complete with striking sunset and good food, quickly decompensated into every parent’s worst nightmare: your child is throwing a tantrum and there’s nothing you can do about it.

It all started when I saw my baby happily munching on a cookie. Not knowing if it had nuts and was therefore “safe” to eat, I broke off a piece and put it in my mouth. He lost it! He started screaming and crying throwing himself backwards on the ground. I started reasoning with him but quickly switched to ignoring him when I saw it was too late. He was so angry and beyond reasoning, that I would have to ride out the storm until it passed. I had no problem with this. After all this was my third child and I was getting used to this behavior. I knew it would be over soon. I went on with my business which included picking up a friend’s infant and cuddling him. My poor baby couldn’t handle it. He started screaming even louder, tears and mucous ran down his red face. When the screaming gave way to vomiting, I caved and went to hold him.

Just as I thought all was calming down the other two started to bicker. I went over to sort it out and soon the mama of all dramas quickly erupted from my three year old. I still don’t quite know what it was all about. It beat out all other tantrums hands down. She started ear piercing wailing and running in circles around the picnic area.

Can you believe it? Two of my three kids had the largest tantrums of their lives and it was on the same night. I think all the parents at the party could relate but the childless couples were viewing it all with a mixture of awe and pity. We did what any reasonable parent would do. We scooped up the kids, made our apologies, and got out of there as fast as we could. Sometimes it’s just the best you can do.

Sheila Cason, MD