Yesterday I had a glorious morning.
I posted the obligatory Instagram shot of the #kids #enjoyingthesunshine at #coogeebeach, and then began packing up. Obviously the kids were NOT impressed.
And so it began.
She (Her Royal Threenager the First) was HUNGRY.
Despite the fact that I had packed lunch and given it her earlier, I was buoyed on by the momentum of my earlier mode of “Super Mummy”. I wryly gave in to her demands for her fave sprinkle bun at the bakery and sighed inwardly as she licked at the icing only. She was occupied in her stroller and he (the bigger one) was performing well. I was still on track; maybe I could nick in to the supermarket and grab a few bits and pieces.
“I’M HUNGRY,” she screamed, as she threw the rest of her bun on the floor of the supermarket.
“I WANT A TREAT,” cried he, as I tried to distract their attention away from the confectionary aisle.
I pushed on.
NO! Bloody NO!
She in particular was being a brat. But the screams were mighty. I called it quits and made for the checkout.
Back out on the street, we launched ourselves off into the sunshine, the screams still pounding. The footpaths were crowded as many soaked up the sunshine with their fresh squeezed juices and yoghurts.
She loves a crowd and chose to step it up a notch.
“I WANT TO GET OUT!”
This was screamed on repeat at ear splitting volume.
The people watchers watched.
“Head held high,” my Super Mummy soothed to myself. “People understand. They’re probably not even tuned in.”
The screams continued with a few judgey eyebrows vibing, “for the love of peace, let the child out!!”
My face was soon in flames.
My determination to fight this battle was wavering.
I was sniffing back tears and losing fast.
And right here is where my day turned back around.
A woman strolling along in front of me with her two teenage daughters stopped, turned around and waited for me. Now, normally when I become a full blown tantrum victim, I would rather be invisible, but today something in this lady’s welcoming smile was different.
“Never let her out!” she laughed. “Not until they’re 18.”
Her daughters mock smacked her, protested, smiled and laughed.
We walked on down the crowded footpath together in unity and chatted. The distraction stopped the little one’s screams for a brief moment.
I didn’t feel so alone.
I wasn’t a crap mum after all.
I thanked her and we parted ways at the lights.
HRH Threenager started screaming again.
Just to mix it up a little, it was back to the “I’M HUNGRY,” tirade.
I offered a banana, but of course, she didn’t actually want ‘food’, she wanted the crap she couldn’t quite get her hands on at the supermarket.
And yet again, as I stopped at the next lights, a stranger made eye contact with me to ‘request permission’ to engage. I gave the, ‘be my bloody guest’ eye roll, and he knelt down and offered her some dried snacks from his own snack box. Relax stranger danger crusaders; I knew 100% she would not take one (I trusted my instincts on this one and, well…it wasn’t chocolate after all), but again, she quietened down for a whole peaceful 5 seconds.
Lights changed, we all moved off and we eventually made it home.
I was angry, exhausted and a glass of wine that evening was medicinal, but it really did make me think.
Amazing how a day can change so fast.
Amazing how the kindness of strangers can remind you, that you are not alone.
Amazing to be a part of this incredible community.
It really does take a village.
