Isn't the Zoo Supposed to be Fun?

Good Lord! I took my team to the zoo today. Nothing special, we live two blocks away from the zoo so we get there a lot. Well, today I made the mistake (rookie mistake) of letting the tots out of the stroller. Seriously, what was it, first day on the Mom train, what was I thinkin'?!? The Little Man did have his little puppy leash on (no help) and Miss Peach took off like she didn't even know me. I chased after them spewing every cliche in the book..."don't touch that, don't put that in your mouth, come back here right now, if you don't stop that...we are going home") you get the picture.
What I don't get is, it seemed like every other kiddo was happily holding their parent's hand and strolling through the zoo looking at the animals. My Miss Peach acted like I was the wicked witch when I tried to hold her hand! Instead of looking at the animals, my team was more interested in picking trash up off the ground (yuck!). Why do they do this???
I finally (after two hours) gave up and stuffed my babes in the stroller (think repacking a parachute) and marched home. I kid you not, Miss Peach screamed her head off the entire way home...So not fun. Why does it seem when you are in that situation, that yours is the only kiddo having a meltdown? Just miserable!

23 comments

  1. OK. So, now something else I have to fear besides an animal getting loose? Great . . .

    Clearly testing her limits, huh? What you don't know is that the other parents were looking at you thinking about how their kid just had that type of meltdown at
    -the supermarket
    -the mall
    -the doctor
    -the dentist
    -Target
    -Walmart (think CANDY aisle)
    -a new neighbor's house (they'll never extend an invite now . . . )
    -church/temple

    So, what's next on the agenda? The Museum? Art Institute? Science Center???

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  2. Is she two or three? Cause I let mine out for little bits. On occasion he does run off. But, mostly, if you start off slowly, giving them just a few minutes here and there, you build up. The zoo? You are brave.

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  3. ugh - i feel your pain !! not sure but i always feel that way. although for the first time at a bday party this past weekend, i saw a mom losing it and i was thinking WOW, it ain't me !!

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  4. Oy, so sorry. My daughter did this too when we let her loose in a museum this weekend. Out of control toddler + room with priceless artifacts and lots-o-glass = No bueno :(

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  5. my daughter is very opposed to hand holding particularly in large places. drives me nuts.

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  6. I feel your pain... daily. My youngest melts down almost every where we go. I have pre-printed "for sale to a good home" cards that I hand out whenever she really acts up.
    I'm waiting for the highest bidder...

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  7. My boy won't hold my hand and walk by my side for *anything*!

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  8. oh man....I'm so sorry that happened when all you wanted was some good family fun. ugh....

    you need a hug. I hope someone gave you one.

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  9. It's hard when they act up in public! Sometimes it seems they save it and let loose as soon as you walk out the door!

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  10. I always feel the same way. Why are my kids always the loudest misbehaving ones when we are out?

    I finally figured it out...I'm not really paying any attention to the other kids and am only focused on the behavior of mine. Yours probably weren't as bad as you think!

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  11. Yours are DEFINITELY not the only ones. Just, maybe, the only ones that very second. Or maybe you are just too busy chasing your little ones to notice all the others acting up. ;)

    Laskigal has it right!

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  12. I was too busy tending to a meltdown in my own driveway to notice yours at the zoo. It's all good!

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  13. Heh, sounds very familiar. My little guy is sometimes that way. He acts like he doesn't know me at all and forget holding hands. Sorry it was a such a miserable day for you!

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  14. I only have one and she has meltdowns and tantrums every where we got lately it seems. I don't understand. She hates to be confined too but all she wants to do if we put her down is run away and be chased. Not. Fun.

    I love how you refer to them as "my team". Haha!

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  15. I didn't let my kids out of the stroller - period. I did it once and one kid went one way and the other one went the other way. I had one stuffed under my arm, who was screaming, while I was running after the other one. All while people looked at me like I was a crazy person. Never again!!

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  16. it always seems that all the other children are perfectly behaved when yours are being naughty, but EVERY KID is like that!

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  17. always fun! don't worry if the other people are parents too they are saying... please don't let my kid be next

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  18. Ooh boy. This post brings back memories. Yes, I've taken my kids to the zoo before to find the animals better behaved.
    It's happened to all of us.
    But think of this, one day your kids will be teens like mine and it will be your turn to embarrass them!
    Woo hoo!

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  19. Mine does at the store EVERY TIME!
    I feel your pain.
    Bean freaks if he thinks I am getting out of his line of sight though.

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  20. HELP My Monkey's have Escaped. Gosh I hate meltdowns, one of twins has at least one a day.

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  21. Oh that sounds lousy. You'd think the zoo would be fun huh?

    Our little guy isn't quite walking yet so he's not that kind of trouble but he hates being in his stroller right now. All he wants to do is get out and crawl around everywhere. Needless to say we're not going out much except to the park.

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  22. FYI, yours AREN'T the only ones throwing tantrums, but you can't hear the other fits over your own monsters. Trust me, most of those other moms were thinking "oh, that was my family a few minutes ago..."

    Hope the next trip is better!

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  23. oh my, I am so sorry!! Believe me, it has happened to the best of us and if not yet . . . it will! don't fool yourself : ) I had two boys, 18 mo's apart, and have experienced every horrifying experience in the book, and I am a good mom! By the time I had my third everything finally started rolling off my shoulders. This will make you stronger, smarter and give you perspective!

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