The tantrum of all tantrums

My child's favorite place on Earth right now is Target. Yes, Target. No, her favorite place is not the fabulous and new playroom that I have been working so hard on... it's Target. 

She will literally ask me, "We go to Tarrrrget?" And smile as innocently as she can.

One would think this would make errands a little easier because she wants to go with me, right? 

WRONG!

It makes it easier to get her there, but it never fails... here is how the trip goes:

Me: OK, now you have to be a good girl and listen while we are at Target.
L: Yes, momma!
Me: OK... I am serious. You gotta listen to me!
L: Ohhhhkaaayyy

*Enter Target*

*Get in the buggy*

L: Cake pop?
Me: After we shop a little bit. Let's get some stuff marked off our list and you can earn a cake up.
L: Cake pop!
Me: After we shop.  When we make it back around to Starbucks, you can get one.

*Minor meltdown #1*

*Meltdown corrected with a different (boring) snack*

...5 minutes in....

L: I get out. I wanna walk.
Me: No, Lainey. Just sit differently. Wanna sit in the way back?
L: No! I wanna walk!!

*Minor meltdown #2*
*Meltdown corrected by letting her walk*

Now, this quick errand has turned into a game of follow the leader. Only, I am not sure who is leading whom at this point.

And thanks to Target with their strategically planned layout -- baby things like food pouches, pull ups and shampoo are all directly across from the toys section.

...As I go to the right to get pull ups...

...Lainey veers to the left...

Me:  Lainey, this way.  We need to get snacks and undies.
L: I need a buggy.
Me:  You have a buggy at home.
L: I need a buggy!! 

*Lainey pulls a toy buggy off the shelf*

Me:  Lainey, put that back! We aren't buying toys today and you have one of these already.

*I put the buggy back on the shelf and start to walk towards pull ups*

*MAJOR MELTDOWN*

Full on tantrum.  I kid you not... the most embarrassing yet.  Complete with shrills so loud they would have hurt your ears.

So, what do you when you toddler is screaming so loud the entire store can hear her?  
You look at her, shake your head, and step right on over her.
That's what I did, any way!

As my toddler ran out from the aisle, I looked at the parent next to me and said "Life is hard when you're so little." and told Lainey, "Boots, people are starting to stare at you."

I then convinced her to look at something else.  She huffed for the rest of the time we were in the store.

Until she got in the car.

Then she said, "You forgot my cake pop."

I chuckled and closed the car door. 

Don't let that face fool you.

xoxo,
Linda