Good morning, good morning.

Apparently it’s a high of 42 today WITH some sunshine, so I’m pretty pumped about life. 

Who would have thought that this CA girl would be thrilled about a high of 42? Yes, I don’t know. 

My child had a severe case of the restraint collapse yesterday. I went to pick him up from school and he was, at first, thrilled to see me. And then when I went to buckle him into the stroller, I asked him, “Do you want an apple or an orange?”

“An apple! You will eat the peel and I will eat the inside,” he responded.

I had brought some cut apple slices (without the peel) so I wanted to give him a heads up before handing over the Tupperware. 

“Mama already ate the peel so it’s all ready for you,” I said.

“Mama already ate the peel,” Ishu repeated happily.

Great, I thought. He’s not going to flip out when he sees that I didn’t bring a whole apple. 

WRONG. 

The minute I opened up the Tupperware, he started scream crying. I hurried us over to the elevator to get out of the quiet lobby. Once in the elevator, I pulled out the orange, thinking a choice may help the situation. 

WRONG AGAIN. 

Still all the scream crying. 

All the way ’til we got home. 

All the way ’til I stripped off his clothes and put him in the bathtub. 

And then the water worked its magic. 

But, MAN OH MAN. 

The restraint collapse is all too real. (If you, like me, don’t click links, the long and the short of it is that when kids hold it together all day long, they absolutely lose their shit at the end of the day because 1) they’re exhausted from keeping it together and 2) they’re finally able to release all their emotions with their safe people).

So, yes. 

It’s so hard to not take it personally. Him throwing the fruit back at me. Him happy in one moment and then miserable in the next. 

I know it’s not ME that is triggering this behavior. That this is a normal thing that happens when young kids are at school all day. My response SHOULD be warm and loving and I SHOULD remind him that, yes, it’s OK to express all the feelings and I’m here for him despite the scream crying. 

And, yet. I’m a human being that does get wrapped up in it. And, well, let’s just say that I’m real grateful for bath time that allowed us both to reset last night. 

Here’s to trying a little harder and getting a little better at dealing with the after-school collapses. I have to remind myself that he’s 2. And he’s spending nearly 8 hours each day at school, away from mama.

That is a lot. 

Phew. 

Parenting is NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. It is one of the most physically, mentally, emotionally demanding jobs in the world. 

I see all of you parents out there with your after school snacks and your crying kids. Solidarity, friends. This is hard work.