Who Are You?

Things with Connor have slowly been changing. It started with him crying, ok, going hysterical, when we leave somewhere he is having fun. It has built up to him dropping onto the floor in a ball and crying when he doesn't get his way. Awesome, right?

And today a whole new thing happened. We had just started grocery shopping. Connor didn't want to be in the cart. Before I knew it, he was full on screaming, crying and kicking the side of the cart. I stared in amazement. I was slightly amused. Oh, I was embarrassed too. But seriously, WHY WAS MY KID ACTING LIKE THIS?! I had never seen this in him before, which I think is why I was slightly amused. Anyway, I walked us right back out to the car for a breather. Of course, then Connor just screamed and cried in the car about how he wanted to be in the store. But I told him we wouldn't go back in until he calmed down. After a few minutes, he calmed down and the rest of the trip was a success.

What the heck, though?! Is this what people mean when they say three is hard? Please tell me no. Even if you are lying, just tell me no. I don't think I can handle it. And spending a whole year never leaving my house just doesn't sound fun. But it may be necessary if Connor continues to act like this.

How do I explain to my child that acting like this just isn't ok? And how do I teach him that you just can't always get your way? Not to mention teaching him that all good things must come to an end. Wowsers. It looks like I have my work cut out for me.

I am thinking I am entering a season of my hardest parenting challenges yet. Sleep deprivation has nothing on crazy public meltdowns.