Kevin has been working his arse off at work lately. I’ve been alone with these children all day long with no break at lunch or even dinner. It’s beginning to take its toll on me and I’m becoming very snippy. As a direct result of my grumpiness, I’ve started introducing Leina to the concept of Time Out.

She isn’t very enamored with this new game.

Leina is a lovely child but listening isn’t her strong suit. I snapped yesterday after the library class. As I strapped Kulia into her car seat, Leina decided to jump out of the car and run around the parking lot. Of course, there were a bajillion mothers in large SUVs and minivan trying to leave and having to dodge around my errant child lead to a nice traffic jam. When I tried to grab her, Kulia would launch herself out of her car seat and started climbing out of the car. No matter how much I yelled, Leina refused to get back in the car. She just laughed and danced out of my grasp. My only recourse was to let her run around the parking lot until I strapped Kulia in. The I grabbed her by the wrist, very roughly, and dragged her back to the car.

The next part I’m not proud of. Remember, I’m tired, Kulia is screamin bloody murder, and Leina is refusing to get into the car, and I’m getting dirty looks from the other moms as they drive by.

I picked Leina up and slammed her into her car seat. Hard. She looked up, shocked, and said, “Mommy, are you angry?”

“YES LEINA! MOMMY IS VERY ANGRY!!!!” I yelled and I snapped her belt on.

Leina joins Kulia in crying and sobs, “Mommy, mommy, why are you angry?”

“MOMMY IS ANGRY BECAUSE YOU WEREN’T LISTENING! WHEN YOU DON’T LISTEN, MOMMY GETS VERY ANGRY!” I slammed her door and stamped around to the driver side and got in taking deep cleansing breathes while by girls screamed bloody murder.

“I’m sorry mommy. Don’t be mad! I’m listening! I’m listening!” Leina sobbed.

By the time we got home, we were all doing better. I explained to Leina that she needed to listen to me and that running around the parking lot was very dangerous. I thought we had made some progress and was feeling better…until.

We got home and I got Kulia out. I carried her over and unhook Leina. “Come on Leina, lets get inside.”

I headed to the door carrying Kulia when Leina….ran….off.

Yes, she ran down the street and I felt like crying. Why does is go in one ear and out the other? Why? Why? Why?

After safely depositing Kulia inside, I had had it with Leina. It was time to introduce her to a time out.

And so I dragged her, kicking and screaming in to “naughty corner” where she fought me. Refused to sit, refused to stay, refused to listen. Thankfully, I was so mad I didn’t care. I just kept taking her back and sitting her down. Eventually, she sat. Eventually, she listened.

We have had several trips to time out since yesterday for not listening, hitting, and taking things. Each time it gets easier. Leina still fights going but now she will sit until retrieved. She’s screaming her head off the entire time but she is sitting.

Welcome to the world of three. Enjoy the ride!