Holidailies 18 – Call Santa. Tell Him to Stay Home.
Posted by RobinDec 23
Clara Jane and I went to the annual Gardenland Express display of Christmas flowers and model trains at the Missouri Botanical Gardens today. Doesn’t she look like she’s having an awesome time?
That gleam in her eye? Certainly that’s Christmas cheer, right? That’s not possibly the glare of a brewing temper tantrum, straight from the bitter pits of Hades, set to erupt about an hour after this photo was taken, right?
Wrong.
Today, I had to drag my nearly-five-year-old child out of the crowded building as she went all jelly-legged in a way I haven’t seen since she was in the worst of the Terrible Twos. This, after she announced, “I’m not going! You can’t catch me!” before darting into the gift shop, running laps around two tables of Olde World glass ornaments.
While chasing her, I saw a beautiful glass Thai Buddha ornament. I would have loved to purchase it for myself, if I wasn’t so busy trying to save several thousand dollars worth of ornaments from The Wrath of My Child.
Throwing a glass Buddha at her head on Christmas Eve eve probably would be frowned upon.
I have no idea what brought on this extreme episode of bratitis. All I know is I’m pissed that I stayed up until the wee hours last night, wrapping gifts for this child. Do you know how strong the urge is to take the bulk of them and put them in the closest Toys for Tots drop-off is? Oh, it’s strong, alright.
I was told yet again how much more she loves Brian than me. I was told that she’s done with me. I was slapped across the face.
I swore I wouldn’t hold Santa over her head as a threat, but I did it today. Not only did I do it, I’m serious when I say that I’m struggling with bringing out a trolley full of toys 24 hours after being slapped across the face.
I just want a nice Christmas, Goddammit. Is that too much to ask?
9 comments
Comment by kimblahg on December 24, 2008 at 12:30 am
I swear kids act up way more than usual this time of year. The holidays, anticipation, change in routine and picking up on parental stress seem to be the magic combo. If it is any help, my kids have been throwing tantrums and attitude left and right. Was this at the botanical gardens?
Comment by kimblahg on December 24, 2008 at 12:31 am
duh. just re-read the part about it being at the botanical gardens. i’ve been meaning to get down there with the kids- maybe between xmas and new year’s.
Comment by Jenny on December 24, 2008 at 7:13 am
Apparently, yes, it is too much to ask. I feel for ya. My precious three-year-old nephew bit the hell out of my finger last night and the teethmarks are still visible today. My fiance and I got into a huge argument Monday night — all because I asked him to tell his 14-year-old son not to throw his coat, dirty socks, dirty gloves and hat on the kitchen table. What is it about Christmas that makes kids go in-effing-sane?
I hope things get better soon and that you end up having a great day!
Comment by Courtney on December 24, 2008 at 7:43 am
Yeah Addison stole a few ornaments off of my parents’ tree on Sunday and proceeded to feed them to the dogs when we told her “No!”- the madness is beginning…
Comment by Summer on December 24, 2008 at 8:26 am
Holy hellion! That sounds just awful. I think I might have just left her there.
I seem to recall E acting up more at Xmas when he was younger. I more vividly recall his tantrums and the extra fun hitting stage he went through.
The worst part was knowing he was intentionally pushing my buttons, skillfully working at and too many times succeeding at getting a rise out of me.
Parenting is the pits sometimes.
Comment by Hilda on December 26, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Yeah…the slapping – uh no.
I’m not a parent and I am in awe of all who are, but the thought of slapping my mother – hell even hitting my mother – never even occured to me!
Following is the reason God didn’t give me children – this is how I would have handled it: Christmas morning there are no presents under the tree for the child – instead there is a note from Santa (in red ink, for effect) explaining that he had a bag of stuff for her, but because she disrespected Mommy and hit her, he took all her toys to the shelter where children appreciate their mommies.
I know. I’m mean.
Comment by Robin on December 26, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Oh Hilda … you don’t know how tempted I was to do just what you described!
Comment by Jane on December 27, 2008 at 9:49 am
One year P didn’t get anything in his stocking except a note from Santa, he still got presents, though. Our problems now are after, when they are cabin-fevered and we’re all sick of each other. Let the yelling commence! (Festivus, anyone?)
Comment by Rhubarb (aka Sarah) on December 30, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Regarding Hilda’s comment: I wouldn’t have sent all the toys to the shelter, but I would have made her take the toy she was playing most with, repackage it, and take it to the shelter. The reason? Disrespect means losing privileges. Temper tantrum is one thing but slapping your mother? Never!