A Tantrum and the Kindness of a Stranger

Last Friday I went to Target to get some swim diapers. We headed over to the baby section and Jeffrey saw some small milk carton boxes of fish crackers. So I let him get one. We got the diapers then I was looking at swim suits for Jeff-and he was out of the cart running around. Meanwhile, Sammy was begging for me to open the fishies so I did. That was my mistake (should have asked Jeffrey first). Jeffrey sees that Sammy is eating his crackers and goes absolutely crazy. So I'm like, I'm outta here. We go to quickly pay for the diapers, Jeffrey is still ranting, screaming, hitting me, trying to take the cart from me. I'm about to blow my top-have my own tantrum. We get in line behind a lady with two small well-behaved kids. I put the diapers up on the belt along with the disputed crackers. I'm still fighting with Jeff who is now on the floor screaming, kicking, trying to hit me. And I don't notice that the lady in front of me has paid for my stuff. I go up to the cashier ready to pay and she hands me the receipt and tells me that this lady paid for me. Well, the kind stranger was gone, almost to the opposite doors I was going, my kids are both crying, I'm tearing up, so I don't run after her, I just want to run and hide. But I was so grateful for her, she definitely didn't have to do that. I guess now I have to, as they say, "pay it forward". Hopefully when that happens my kids will be the well behaved ones?!

Jeffrey's reaction to his punishment and our conversations regarding this incident are pretty funny. I told him in the car, leaving Target, that he will have a time out when we get home and no movies or TV today. Later after lunch he says "Mommy can you watch TV?" and I say yes, "Mommy can Sammy watch TV", I say no, "Mommy can we still go swimming today?", yes, "Can I still play with my toys?",yes. Later that night after his football class he tells me "I can throw footballs but I can't throw fits". Ahhhh! Blessed understanding.