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A little while ago I posted a status update on Facebook about Elliot managing not to behave like a Neanderthal whilst we were doing the groceries. I think I got more likes and comments about that post than I did when I posted that Tristan had been born! So continue on the popular topic, we went grocery shopping yesterday. I set up the rules as I do each and every time we go to the shops.
- there is to be no running,
- no rolling on the floor
- no pushing the trolley in the opposite direction
- no climbing on the trolley or other items found in the grocery shop
- no touching things on shelves and
- no disappearing

Today Elliot asked if he was really really good could he have old macdonalds. I said if I didn't have to tell him the right things to do or raise my voice at him once, then yes he could have old macdonalds on the way home, the one in the box with a toy. I was hoping he could do it, I thought a good shop was worth one happy meal. It certainly would had made me happy. But alas it was not to be. We went to the bank first.... Elliot why are you rolling on the floor, Elliot should you be trying to peer in the airconditioning vent in the door, Elliot don't touch those business cards, Elliot put those pamphlets down, Elliot don't climb on the counter, Elliot let go of Tristan, Elliot that's not our pen, Elliot don't touch the pin pad. That was just the bank. I reiterated the rules for macdonalds as we drove from the bank to the supermarket, be on your best behaviour - I don't want to have to raise my voice once...
We weren't even past the biscuits in aldi when the rolling in the isle commenced, we got to the tuna and the tantrum had begun when he realised he had not met with the kpi's I had set out in the car and the meal in the box was not going to happen. I didn't think he could come back from that but he got it together and we continued - the entire time running through me head, was I going to show mercy and let him have the meal or was I going to make a point and serve up a justice sandwich? To save face I wanted to give him the meal and not have to do the toddler walk of shame pushing a trolley with one hand and carrying a screaming toddler with the other not making eye contact with anyone as they grin inanely At your power struggle with the tiny person wielding all the power in the situation. I also wanted to make a point. It's not ok to roll in the isle at the shops, you don't see anyone else doing it. It's not ok. We got to the checkout. The question came, I couldn't avoid it any longer. I asked him to reflect on his performance. Had he indeed met the requirements for an old macdonalds lunch? He knew he hadn't, but he knew he was able to protest loudly and with maximum force and effect. 20 minutes of crying and screaming ensued.
Give me old macdonalds
I want old macdonalds etc etc. I had to stay at the checkout until he had calmed down as I was worried how walking out in the car park might go with such volatility. So loads or shoppers got the witness the full tantrum. I was embarrassed. But I couldn't cave.


Here he is on the way home to a vegemite sandwich


Here he is 20 min later. Good for both of us.
I told him today I would miss him next year when he goes to school even thought sometimes we argue. He got tears in his little eyes and his face fell and he said oh mum that makes me really sad, oh that little guy tugs at my heart strings.

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