The Worst Tantrum Ever!

I just have to share what I experienced today with Spencer. It all started on my short trip to Target to buy more diapers. Derek wanted to look at Star Wars toys, so we spent a few minutes there. When Lindsey started getting restless, I decided it was time to go. We headed for the checkouts. Spencer started trying to get out of the seatbelt (it was one of those giant carts with the two seats in front of the cart). "I want to see the train stuff!!", he was yelling. I told him that Lindsey was getting sad and that we couldn't look at the train things today. He continued to try to get out of the seatbelt, but he couldn't, so he just yelled and growled and flailed around. Lindsey, who was sitting in the seat opposite him started to hit him, making it worse. At least I didn't have to wait in line and there weren't too many people around. While I was paying for the diapers, Spencer almost fell on his head manuvering out the seatbelt harness. He flopped on the floor and continued to scream. So, I put him in the cart with the diapers and tried to go out the door. He climbed out, so I had to put him back in. Then he started screaming about wanting to sit by Lindsey again. No way!

A nice lady asked if she could help me. (I've been asked if I'd like help before in this situation, and I've always said no, but I was up for the help!) She offered to push the cart for me while I held Spencer. This calmed Spencer down enough for him to sit, so I didn't need the help afterall.

Now the worst part- (this probably lasted about 15 minutes). It was raining while I quickly got the cart to the van. I put Lindsey and Derek in with the diapers and then got Spencer out. I put him in the van and tried to shut the automatic door, but he kept opening it from the inside. Of course, he was still screaming. Then he says, "I need to go potty!!!" me: "Let's hurry home and go potty! It only takes 1 minute to get home". "NO!!!!" and more screaming. Then he takes off his shoes and a sock. Screaming. He is kicking and trying to hit me. This whole time I keep telling him to calm down, and that we'll go potty at home. For about 10 minutes, he is kicking, screaming, not letting me close the door, and throwing his shoes and sock out the door. Then he escapes and starts running for the store. So, I nab him and try to get him in the van again.
Suddenly, the screaming subsides for a second, as a watch a tiny wet spot on his pants grow larger and larger. I get him out of the van, and he makes a lovely puddle on the ground outside the van. Usually, he will snap out of a tantrum once he pees his pants, but not so this time. I stand him in the van and pull off the soaking clothes. So now he's naked from the waist down. (Of course, this is also when the people in the car next to me decide to finish their shopping and get in their car). I'm sure they were wondering what was going on. I finally got Spencer in his seat and buckled in (nakedness and all).

We had a lovely talk about all of the naughty things Spencer did and why he was going to have a long timeout after we got him dressed at home. When we unloaded the van, he refused to get out. Even after I offered to carry him in, he just solemnly sat in his car seat for about 20 minutes in the dark garage. Eventually he decided he was ready to come in and say sorry. We got him dressed, and that was that.

Luckily, I had about a 30 minute calm period before lunch was on the table and Lindsey started into HER 10 minute tantrum. At least I know why Spencer was upset- with Lindsey, I just couldn't do anything right for her. I wish she would talk more!

Where did these hot-heads come from?? I would think that me and Larry's genes would produce fairly calm children!! Hopefully it is just a stage.