This is Going to End in Tears

  That is our new mantra as we leave the house for any given activity. We have entered a new phase. A phase where, no matter how much fun is had, how many special treats are enjoyed, any outing is most likely going to end in tears.
  It might be when her friend leaves before us when camping, or not getting a balloon animal at the farmer’s market, waking up realizing she fell asleep and missed the drive-in movie, or driving home from school with the car door closed. (She wanted it open.)  Whatever we do, it’s probably going to end in tears.
  As I drove our inconsolable child home, screaming at the top of her lungs that she wanted an octopus (the much coveted balloon animal), I began wondering if we were already raising a spoiled little girl. We take her out, plan fun things for us to do as a family, things that will make her smile. Have we already failed her? But then I remind myself, I did not buy the octopus. We had already had a special morning and I didn’t buy her something she wanted at the first sign of distress. I held strong and opted to listen to her scream the whole way home. And eventually she did get over it.  So I chalk it up to normal three year old behavior and accept that this is the way it will be for a while and we have to keep on keeping on, not buying the octopus and enjoying the good times while they last, before they dissolve to tears.
  Before the recent floods and before the first snow but after a week of countless superfluous fits, we braced ourselves as we packed sandwiches for a picnic on the river that we knew would end in tears. Because it is just what happens now.
  We ended up at the easily accessible -and free- Century Park day use area on the Poudre River. We ate our sandwiches and headed to the water. Layla had a blast shoveling sand and mud, skipping rocks with her
dad and wading in the river. The clouds rolled in. We knew the tears were going to come as we explained that is was going to rain and we needed to go. We packed up, left, and came home, a good time had by all. With the added bonus of no tears.
  And so, with a new reality comes a readjustment of expectations. So my new, new mantra is enjoy the smiles, enjoy the laughs and don’t sweat the tears and by all means, celebrate the rare occurrences of the elusive tear free excursion.