Today it was crazy hot outside, so I decided to take Nate to the children’s museum this morning. He was very excited about it, but once we got there we were informed that the A/C was broken, although we were more than welcome to stay as they were going to remain open. We were there at 10 am, right when they opened, and it was already stifling inside that building. There was no way I was going to be able to stay. But I was going to use their restroom, because, of course, I had to pee.
I used the restroom, then lied to Nate and told them they were closed and that we had to leave. He immediately started crying and screaming, then he saw the entrance to get back to the exhibits and he made a run for it. I stood there and tried to remain calm, tried to project to all the strangers who were now staring at me that I did in fact have this situation, and my child, under control. I called his name, in my most serious Mommy voice, multiple times but he kept running away from me.
At that point he was getting too far away from me, and there were other people walking around between us, so I did what I had to do. I ran after him. It should be known that even when I’m not pregnant I don’t run. I generally try to avoid any and all activities which might include running. (Yes, there was that very brief time when I did try some jogging after I had Nate, but only because I wanted to lose the last of the baby weight, and anyway it turned out to be very short lived.) So there I was, my gigantic 7 months pregnant self, holding a huge purse/diaper bag, chasing down a 2 1/2 year old. I can only imgaine how ridiculous I looked.
But I did eventually catch up to him (just barely…did you know 2 1/2 year olds can run just about as fast as 7 months pregnant non-runners?), and as he continued to scream and cry and then made his whole body go limp, I held his hand and dragged him out of the museum, all the while trying to look dignified and in-control. Which, by the way, is surpringly hard to do while you are gasping for air and trying to recover from the 20 seconds of exercise your son just made you do.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh so sorry to hear that Nate had a melt-down in a real melt-down location! Did you take him somewhere else that he enjoys to ease the pain of his disappointment? I think swimming, water park, etc. sounds good. Just get yourself a maternity suit (I made mine while pregnant with Matt) and enjoy the pools, fountains, water parks in your area to beat the heat! You and Nate can have a BLAST, exercise, and STAY COOL all at the same time!! Love, GS
I feel for you, and I’ve totally been there. Once both kids were refusing to leave the Y, so I had to drag them both kicking and screaming all the way to the car. I just did my best not to make eye contact with anyone. Good to know I’m not the only one!