The One Where I Should Have Stayed Home...

I should have known that today was going to be hell when I left my house with the girls. I have a fun review that I had to go shopping for--while I love to shop, I should known when Isabella was screaming for the park that I would be best to just turn around and go home...

We got to our destination and it was hell. Isabella screaming, Madelyn pulling Isabella's hair, more screaming from both of them. I am sure my two girls cleared the store out with their unacceptable behavior. I grabbed a few things and practically ran up to the register. I paid, thanked the girl and asked the girls if they were ready for lunch--it was already 1 p.m. and I knew how hungry I was...it's only realistic that they, too, were starving.

We got to to Chick-Fil-A where everything was going great. The girls and I were enjoying our nuggets and munching on our waffle fries. I actually thought to myself that my day was turning around. I mean, look at us--three girls laughing and smiling, me giggling at their ketchup streaked faces and us all having a nice moment. So much better than earlier...

Isabella then asked to go in the play area. I cleaned her up and told her that I would be in after Madelyn was done eating her waffle fry. As I was gathering our trash and making sure I had everything a little girl comes running out of the play area. Right then I knew that Isabella had done something.

The girl's Mom (who was there with a friend...) asked her if she was crying. The little girl said yes, that little girl scratched my face.

I leaped up from the table and climbed up the stupid spiral stairs to Isabella. I asked her what happened and she told me...

I scratch her cheek, Mommy.

I felt awful for the little girl. No parent wants to see their child in either one of these girls' positions. I marched Isabella out to where the little was with her Mom, got down on Isabella's level and told her firmly Isabella, you HURT her. We do NOT scratch other children. Tell you are sorry and give her a hug. NOW.

The woman's friend then piped up YOUR little girl just SCRATCHED her all over her face!

Was she serious?! I just wanted to tell her no shit, really? Why the heck do you think I am out here--MORTIFIED at Isabella's behavior--and apologizing profusely while having Isabella do the EXACT. SAME. THING.


Isabella finally apologized and hugged the girl. I apologized once again to the Mom, I felt horrible. I have no idea why she hurt the little girl...and I'm mortified that my child is the one that hurts other children. She is constantly scratching Madelyn and it's hell. I have tried time out, placing her in her room, the corner. I am at my wit's end on how to deal with her behavior.

This woman's friend was a bitch. It wasn't as if I had sat out there all smiles while watching this all unfold. I ran up the entire play area stairs to pull Isabella down and marched her out there--while scolding her and telling her how wrong that was--to apologize.

I (with my eyes full of tears) tried to grab my stuff, throw away my trash, carry Madelyn and drag my screaming child out of Chick-Fil-A. It was awful. As we were pushing through the doors tears were streaming down my cheeks. As I write this I am crying again. I miss my husband. I have an out of control child that sees no wrong in harming other children.

What can I do to stop this behavior? I would really love advice from parents who have gone through this. She does go in early October to her pediatrician for her 3 year check up. I am already planning on talking to them about her hurting other children.  I feel like a failure of a Mom. Did I go wrong somewhere?

*sigh* Going to go and curl up and cry some more. I wish I had someone to just give me a hug. Today royally sucked.