The kiddos had been wonderful. Really wonderful. The key words are had been. It was all too good to last forever.
Today was choir day and all the girls planned on going swimming after choir. We just weren't thinking we needed to hurry a little more .... Open swim closed 15 minutes after we arrived and the twins both totally blew a gasket. We walked them straight out and left all the choir girls for lap swim. The hysteria increased to the point that, even though I had them both hiding behind my parked car, I had people asking if they could help. The twins would not quit screaming at the top of their lungs. I was spit on and slapped and yelled at and everything. I'm sure I saw lighting flashing out of Little Missy's eyes. She'd have chopped my head off if she could have. Vanessa heard the commotion and came out to see if she could help. It was so unreal that she got the giggles and then we were both laughing. Really, there was little else to do.
It is just not safe to put them in the car like that. They won't stay in their seats or they'll throw things at me while I'm driving so I decided to walk home instead. It's about three miles, give or take. I was going to call my husband to pick us up when they ran out of steam. The problem was neither of them had shoes. I didn't realize how hot the ground was until we got a ways and I was carrying him, she was wearing my Chacos and I was burning my feet. I now have blisters. Eventually they calmed down enough but Steve did not answer the phone and we went back to the pool and the twins apologized to the manager for the major uproar they caused when he said swimming was over. They didn't do it very well even though we had practiced, but anyways...
They are both in bed an hour early. I don't think I will risk taking them to open swim again this week. It was ugly. It was disrespectful of other people's right to peace and quiet. It was a bad example to all those sweet little kiddos out there with their moms. It was a tad embarrassing. I am thinking now of all the things I should have done or tried or whatever, but when I have two going at once in public place all I can think to do is to keep them safe, stay calm, speak firmly and wait it out. It honestly took me an hour to get through all that nonsense to home and she was still so angry she refused the cold glass of apple cider I offered her when we got there. He accepted it sweetly, but she was still struggling with attitude.
Maybe I should just get them a kiddie pool and forget about taking them out in public for a couple of years.
* * sigh * *
2 comments:
I have stayed at home for most of the last 20 months. If we do go out, it is usually to the baseball field and I g ive them a list of my expectations before we get out of the van EVERY TIME. Even though it is always the same list, I go over it and tell them what the consequence for misbehavior will be. Granted, it doesn't always work but... I always do it.
But, one thing about Nate is that he is better behaved with other people. Like the other day when he put on such a scene at the ball field, I stood really close to the other families after I got him by the wrist and he was trying to sneak and hit, pinch... me but was much calmer when we were close to others.
Wow! I am so sorry..to add to the confusion it was very, very warm yesterday. Just remember ,"This too shall pass," and "You will have many jewels in your crown." Twins are absolutly awesome! But when they both have a "tude" at the same time...it's unbearable. My prayers are with you friend.
KM
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