They couldn’t even save themselves with their cuteness this time

Today, we became those parents. You know, the ones whose kids freak out and have a huge brat fest in the middle of the public place. Before today, we’d had one kid or the other act out for various reasons but today it was both.At the same time. In the aisle of the paint section. Today it was the child in the back of the cart who put the child in the front seat in a headlock because they were fighting over a paint brush. Seriously, let me get you another one. I know where I can find about 200 of them. RIGHT BEHIND YOU.  Both screamed and kicked, while all the customers looked on and probably judged us for having two brats and not even being able to control them, all while being knocked up, too! Lucky me!

This was probably the worst public tantrum they’ve ever had where we wouldn’t control them. GRRR. After a good verbal whoopin’ in the paint aisle of Lowes, I angrily sent off the girl for consolation from daddy (At this point, I was not speaking to her) while the boy decided to continue to rant and screamed until I yanked him out of the cart. I was tempted to leave the cart (um, with him in it) in the appliances section.

If you were at my local Lowe’s around 12:45 this afternoon, I apologize. I know they sell earplugs somewhere in that store, maybe aisle 20…?

Now that we’re home, they are both napping peacefully and they better be in a good mood when they wake up.

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Babysitting

Here’s the scenario:

I am babysitting my friend’s daughter. She is about 9 months younger than my daughter, who will be four soon. I have some steadfast rules when it comes to eating and playing, namely that there will be no running around and playing while eating. Mealtimes are meant to be spent at the table, eating. Play time is when they can run around and be free. Also, I only offer one choice of food during mealtimes. I never cook different things for different children depending on their tastes. I just do not “do” picky eaters. If they don’t want it, they can eat later. Or never. It’s their choice, really. 

So, I prepare lunch and have them eat on their mini picnic table outside on the patio. Friend’s daughter is jumping up and down, ignoring her food which she states she does not like. Cheese quesadilla. What’s not to like, right? Anyways, I decide if she’s not going to sit down and eat, then I will take away her quesadilla and her milk. She has not eaten anything besides this and I’m sure she didn’t eat much this morning. Besides, I know a large pregnant woman who will GLADLY eat the leftover cheese quesadilla.

Question: Because it is not my child and I am being paid to watch her, do I cave and give her something else that she will eat, or do I stand by my rules and hope she will eat later when another snack is offered? At this rate, it looks like she will have not eaten one thing while at my house.

I try to treat my friend’s children the same as my children. We are a pretty close knit group and spend a lot of time together and the general consensus is that any of us is allowed to discipline one of the children if need be. However, is this situation different because I am being paid to watch this child?  I guess it just feels more complicated because I am being paid to watch her as opposed to just having her over for a playdate.

Anyways, I’m sure it’s not a big deal. I am just curious as to what others do/would do in this situation. I don’t consider myself a completely strict discplinarian but I do have certain rules and manners I try to instill in my children and naturally I apply these to the kids that are in my care as well.