Now, I want you to imagine picking this sweet little thing up from daycare after a long day at work. She's smiling, playing with her friends, and generally having a great time. She sees you, lights up, runs over and excitedly throws her arms around you. You leave the classroom with her waving and blowing kisses to all of her friends and teachers. You walk outside holding hands, stopping to smell every flower you pass on the way to the car. The birds are singing, the sun is shining. Life is good.
And then [cue the twilight zone theme song] . . .
You put her in the car, and she screams bloody murder for 10 minutes straight while you try to wrestle her into the carseat. Other parents are passing with their well-behaved kids and smiling politely because either they've been there before or they're thanking God that they haven't. As you struggle, you wonder how something so small can be so astonishingly strong. You try to explain that Mommy only does it because "she loves you and wants you to be safe", but it's to no avail, because even if she cared, she can't hear you over her screaming. You wonder if anyone thinks you are trying to kidnap her.
You're finally triumphant and begin the mercifully short drive home, turning the Sesame Street CD up in hopes that Elmo may have some magical calming effect. That only makes her madder, so she decides to try a new tactic. "Stuck!" she yells, as she pulls on the carseat straps and writhes around like a wild animal. You ignore her because...well, you don't know what else to do, and you'll be home soon. "I'M STUCK IN HERE!" she screams, with a desperation in her voice that sounds vaguely like something straight out of The Exorcist. You giggle, because...well, you don't know what else to do. Oh yeah, AND because your movie-warped mind can't stop making comparisons to The Exorcist. This continues until you (finally!) pull into the driveway.
You're relieved that you're home because obviously, your sweet little angel wants out of the car. Right? Wrong! Guess again! The second your tires hit the driveway, she starts screaming "Bye-Bye! Bye-Bye! Anna go bye-bye!" Then refuses to get out of the car for another good 15 minutes.
Why didn't I see this coming?
I am so glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has "Exorcist-like" moments with a toddler!! I can TOTALLY relate to the car seat escapade. We had one in the parking lot of Barnes and Noble not too long ago... I had to give up for a few minutes and let him throw his fit on the car floor board because I was too scared I would break something (ie... a bone) trying to get him in his car seat.
ReplyDeletehahahaha! That's hilarious :) Are you telling me that little angel in those photos threw a tantrum like that? hehe. Too funny
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