Thursday, August 2, 2007

Sometimes there are no reasons

Last month, I wrote a post about temper tantrums. The post wasn't intended to convey any sort of message implying that I have things under control all the time. Today was a testiment to that.

My ears are still ringing from the 45 min car ride with Aaron. I did everything we normally did.....toys, cool seat, well rested baby, sun not in his eyes....EVERYTHING. But we still endured a full 45 minutes of his screams. Non Stop. High Pitched. Punctuated with gasps of air. Full throttle with a rhythm I could have put a metronome to. We pulled over, checked him, no problem. I kept thinking that, he'll tire, he'll get fed up, he'll choke, he'll fall asleep. Nope. When we got to the destination, he was smiling again after a few minutes out of the car. Just didn't want to sit I guess.

Tell me, do you think providing snacks en route is just fostering a bad habit or a valid approach to avoiding these noisy car rides?

9 comments:

Unknown said...

What happened to THE PERFECT TRAVELING COMPANION?

NomadicExpat said...

Well, sometimes you need to do what you need to do to get the sanity you need. Give him a big loaf of french bread for him to gnaw on? Sometimes, you just have to let him throw his tantrum, but make sure that he doesn't get choke on his snot/saliva... I guess he just didnt want to sit in the car, but he will learn that he will need to. Oh well, you should have brought your fashion magazine along! :-P

Blindsighted One said...

You have to do what you have to do to keep your sanity. So I say go for it. Of course, this comes from a non-parent!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Snacks are a kind of bribery; besides, it doesn't help their teeth. There are lots of car games that can be played.

NomadicExpat said...

Car games for a 12 month old toddler who can't even speak yet? Hmm...

Unknown said...

he might have been getting used to the new car because the sight, smell and sounds are new to him.
maybe try popping some fave songs of his in the stereo? that worked for my nieces when they were younger. but alas their mother had to endure nursery and disney songs all the time. and the driver was singing along to 'we are the daughters of triton!'

JUST A MOM said...

I AM ONE TO GO THE LESS STRESS ROAD MY SELF THESE DAYS....

Amanda said...

I agree with the Captain regarding snacks being bribes. Then, I also agree with Just A Mom about the less stressful road. I think snacks would end up an absolute last resort....so far I haven't caved yet. Today was pretty good, snacks BEFORE the car ride to and from the destination. A compromise.

You'd be surprised at what car games a 1 yr old is capable of. Its just that you get a sore neck if you're sitting in front! One the passenger side of course.

I forgot about putting his CDs in the car. Good one Surfergirl.

Anymore tips? I usually try out any and all tips I hear about.

Unknown said...

maybe some kiddy sunglasses...;) the sun might be brighter down under??