My four year old is a meanie head.....

or how to let them get to you....

When Bubbles turned four, she had a week or so (around that time) where she was sweet and endearing. Don't misunderstand me, she is adorable. I love her. She will be used mightily of the Lord. I can see the glimmerings of that in things she does.

Sometimes though, I wonder if she'll ever be allowed out of the house.

 She has taken this nifty little trick of screaming as I'm imposing my mommy will upon her. ... like when I want her to actually LEAVE the store with me. Or maybe, just maybe, to pick up the legos she's forcibly thrown around the room.... or like the fateful day she threw blocks at the Therapists office.

Mini-Me saved her bacon that day by picking up the blocks while I finished my conference with the Therapist. But Bubbles still got a spanking when we got to the van. She refused to obey until it was time to leave - which at that point was disobedience.

What's that?? What's she doing? Oh - well - I guess I could interrupt my rant to tell you --

I quote: "Don't Touch me!"
"You're hurting me!"
"I WAAAAAAAAAAANT MYYYYYYYY DADDDDDDYYYYYY!!"
"You're scaring me!" (my personal favorite)
"You scratched me!"

It's lies. All of it. But it doesn't stop her from screaming them.
at the top of her lungs.
Often while throwing herself on the floor...with tears.

You'd be surprised at the looks I get.

I dare not spank her in the store...she'll just scream "I'm bweeeeeeding!!!!!"


Which is why - I made a shirt from CafePress.com.

It's simple and black.
With white lettering.

It says "Don't blame me - They started it."
I have decided this is my "Going to the store with more than one child" shirt.

I had a mom of teenagers comment on a Facebook post - something sweet and innocent about "Shifting the blame ... no matter that they're little" - which she was trying to tell me, my reaction is truly my responsibility.

I understand that. I get it. I really do. I am the adult in this situation.
but when my child is screaming down the hall way from the therapists office to the van about me hurting her and "Don't make me fall" as we approach the stairs to the parking lot... I think I'm allowed my t-shirt disclaimer.

She may be the better mom than I - and I'm okay with that....

My child hides under the dining table yelling "You're scaring me!"

I may need more than one shirt.
I bet I could get it in multiple colors.