I didn’t plan on having a wrestling match with my son this morning. Especially not a serious one. But that’s what happened when unexpectedly he freaked out at the prospect of riding with another mom and classmate to preschool even though I was going to be in the car, too! Last night my friend and neighbor texted to suggest we carpool to school then on to church since we’re taking part in a weekly women’s Bible study. It made sense to me, so I agreed. Thomas knew about it when I mentioned it last night and this morning. All was fine until they pulled up and I was helping him get on shoes and socks. Once ready to go he stubbornly refused to get up and walk out, demanding that we take our car instead. So I marched out to their car, deposited my purse and his backpack then proceeded to rope the wild boar like a cowboy and drag it out. In the scuffle I spanked his bottom, screamed out when he kicked the wall and a picture fell and yanked him closer to me when another of his kicks knocked suntan bottles off a garage shelf. Finally I forced the seatbelt around him in the back seat of my friend’s car and shoved his legs in as I slammed the door. What a scene! To say it was stressful would be correct. To say it would have been hilarious to later play back on video would be true, too. The worst part I didn’t realize until the adrenaline rush was over that my left wrist now feels sprained from the struggle. And to top it off I have been trying to “take it easy” since yesterday when I went to a chiropractor to relieve the shooting pain in my neck and upper back that started while jogging. The doctor said one of my ribs was out of place, so he popped it back along with two adjustments in my neck. Just what the doctor would not have ordered–a wrestling match with an out-of-control 4-year-old less than 24 hours later. No DVDs, CDs or TV for Thomas today as punishment!
Thanks to Bethel Reformed Church in Aplington for inviting Charlotte & me to Tables & Tea!
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 51
This post was written by Tara on September 11, 2012
I had an unplanned wrestling match today too, but it was with a 35 pound puppy that didn’t want the vet to take out her stitches after being spade two weeks ago. Took two of us to hold her down and even with two of us that wasn’t easy. But she still loves me, not so sure if she likes the vet though.
Tara, you need to go to the store and get yourself a “brace” for your wrist. For one thing, it will make it feel better and for another thing, it may make Thomas feel a little bad for his being naughty today. Then you need to ask him to help you do some things around the house because you are “injured” because of his naughty behavior and can’t do them by yourself. Hopefully he will feel a bit ashamed of the way he acted and won’t act like that next week when you do it all over again. I would ask the other mom to drive again next week if you are planning to go to church together, then you can do the next two weeks, that way you will not be giving in to Thomas by driving next week and you can see if you have a replay of today. Good luck!!!
Good for you for not giving into Thomas! It will pay off as he gets older! I wrestled my boy just like what you wrote about and it’s no fun! Then they can be so charming, can’t they?
Stick to your guns! You’ll be glad you did, Tara!
Had a similar issue with my preschooler once. He was NOT going to wear the outfit I laid out for him except I had other ideas. We got it on him and into the car and we took off and he decided to open the door in the backseat. This was years ago before the doors had safety latches on them. Thankfully we were only at the end of the gravel road and hadn’t turned onto the highway yet. I ended up going to the backseat (my husband was driving) and holding him the whole way to school, he cried all the way in, and I too felt like I had been through a huge battle for the day. He went about his day without another word about the clothes but when laundry time came around, the outfit was retired. I guess in a sense I gave in but that was just too scary and there were days where I would not have been able to manhandle him by myself. He survived…that was 23 years ago and he now has a 4 year old of his own. I don’t even know if he remembers that situation at all.
Oh Tara, the stories we could share!! I had these issues on a regular basis with my now 8 yr old. While I was never hurt, he would sometimes hurt himself (bumping his head, hitting his foot on a chair). When I would finally get him to daycare I was emotionally and physically drained, hair and make-up ruined, and sweaty. Only to have him walk in and say, “Bye Mommy!” as if nothing had happened! Really!?!? Thanks Kiddo!