The Maddie Stomp

November 20 2009 · 2 Comments
Posted in: The Kids · Tags: Maddie, motherhood

I’ve mentioned on occasion that Maddie has a bit of an attitude. To err on the side of kindness, I tend to refer to her as opinionated or vocal. If something doesn’t go her way, she’s sure to let you know. She’s a girl, what can I say?

This is especially evident when you pry an item from her white-knuckled grip. An item that she knows she isn’t supposed to have anyway, because she runs away with it, her little feet pattering like a stampede of elephants from the room.

The other day when this happened, I received the normal routine in defiance. She tried to run, then hide, then fought me with as much fire as her 25 pounds would allow. When that didn’t work, her mouth quivered and her face scrunched into incensed howls. Hell hath no fury like a little girl scorned. This isn’t new. But then, she did what I haven’t seen before. My almost 16 month old daughter stomped her feet.

She actually stomped her feet.

I’ve dealt with all kinds of tantrums in the past 6 years of motherhood. There’s the cry, scream, wail, flail, flop, throw, hit, kick, grab, even pinch and bite. These are particularly effective when performed in unison and even moreso while in public. Although my favorite has always been a good old fashioned full face pout. But not once have I witnessed an actual foot stomp.

Apparently this tactic doesn’t work well with me, though, since I laughed. And when she did it again a few hours later, I laughed again. Probably not the reaction she was looking for, but I can always use a good laugh.