I say “this is not normal!” and my dh says “yes it is!”
He says “she will learn!” and I say “I have a 14 year old with the exact same issues to show you different!”
I can’t leave my house with both my little kids. The small one simply runs everywhere, always which I expect because he’s 18 months old.
But so does the 4 year old.
It’s dangerous to be in public with both of them, and unpleasant to be in public with just one.
I say “do you want to ride in the buggy or walk?” and then I either chase a running child through a store, or swat hands away from every.single.thing. the cart passes, or sit a standing child down over.and.over.again.
I say “do you want to put your hand in my pocket or on the cart?” but it doesn’t matter what the choices are, she does what she wants to do.
There is a constant, never ending stream of whining, demands, begging, or my favorite, direct imitation of my terse rebukes.
Today there was an agreement about behavior and a reward in place if our agreement was kept, and when we left without a snack, my child lay on the floor and said “I beg of you! give me another chance!” while we checked out.
Four times another shopper had to sidestep, slam on cart brakes, or tripped over her as she flitted through aisles.
I am a mother who cannot leave her house with two children. Not to a store, a park, or a restaurant.
This is not normal, is it?