Temper Tantrum

I arrive at the school half hour early, just to hear my child screaming on the top of her lungs! Many thoughts are going through my mind as I am slowly approaching the class room. All of the children are pointing at me and saying, "Madison, Mommy....Madison, Mommy!" She makes her way through the crowd, still crying, eyes squinted and arms outstretched wanting me to pick her up. I give the teacher a puzzled look and I lean down to pick her up and the teacher starts to explain that Madison is upset because they didn't go outside today ('sss-eyed' in Mimi-language) due to inclement weather. Boy was she mad! I was told that she threw herself on the floor and kicked off her shoes after being put to sit in a chair to calm down. So I pick her up and my mind is racing...what do I say...boy this is embarrassing...where is my mother when I need her....why couldn't Gordon be here right now....what do I say to her...why is this happening...I know they are watching me to see how I respond....how do I respond to acknowledge her frustration, but at the same time get her to understand this behavior is not acceptable....all of these thoughts are ruching through my mind and the same time. The teacher sits next to me and whispers, "I didn't know she had that in her...she is so cute, tiny and dainty". Meanwhile, Madison is getting louder and louder and the children are all observing her breakdown. So I bravely say, "Madison, this is not the way we behave when we are upset. We use words to express our frustration. " I go on to say, "You will not always be able to go outside; some days you will and some days you won't" ...You can't get what you want when you want it....who am I fooling? Well then I top it off with, "Madison, stop it! I will not tolerate this behavior. Come on we are going home!" Pretty good huh? So we head outside and the pressure is off (of both of us, I might add)...and we walk to the van, hand in hand......in silence. When we get home, I sit her down and explain to her that she's not in trouble and I still love her, but her behavior is not acceptable. When I ask her do you understand? To my amazment she shakes her head and says, "ok". I scoop her up, kiss her up give her her 'ba-ba' (milk in a sippy cup) and put her down for a nap! Whew, what a day! I am glad that is over....now off to work I go!