I was facing a thunderous face and an Oscar-winning cascade of tears.
Al wanted to take Knuckles the spiny anteater to playgroup, and this was not in his Mum’s game plan.
Already, nestling in his diminutive Thomas the Tank Engine knapsack, was Shammy the well-worn meerkat. We’re supposed to be weaning Al off the Cuddly Set, not creating a soft entourage to flank the four-year old toddler into playgroup like bodyguards round a president.
Anyway, Knuckles didn’t have the requisite Reservoir Dogs shades. The whole thing was all out of whack.
We were surrounded by other childrens’ lovely parents who clearly sympathised with this performance. I grimaced. I’d have to play this carefully with such an appreciative audience.
I tried the tough I Am Going To Count to Three strategy, but three came and went: and no dice.
If in doubt, a wise woman I once knew said, use food. Preferably picnics.
Taking a hairpin bend in the conversation, I muttered: “Now: I need to know what to buy for our picnic.What shall we put in your roll?”
Decrease in RADA audition stance. A small voice volunteered “Cheese.”
“Hmmmm,” I delivered this as a learned surgeon might address a symposium of doctors in the theatre. “Do you think we might need sausages?”
And the thunder vanished, as though it had never been there, and Big Al exclaimed with beatific, exuberant joy: “Yes! Sausages!”
“Riiiight,” I mused, as once Socrates might have done on a fine point of philosophy. “And what shall we have for pudding?” (pulling figurative rabbit out of hat) “I think I have some chocolate fingers….”
Never, in the history of small boys forsaking beloved toys in cars and going to playgroup, has anyone tripped into school quite as happily and, yes – triumphantly – as the little blonde boy who stepped over the educational threshold this morning.
I had a hectic morning visiting a school and talking to a headmaster. I was in my best glad rags, and on something approaching my best behaviour, and my stomach was in a half nelson the whole time.
Still, I came away with enough time to change into bag lady clothes and assemble a picnic fit for a very small emperor.
Collecting Al is a joy, but one must be very good at American football.
For my nephew generally runs across the hall and launches his small compact rugby player’s frame in the general direction of me. I am a clumsy soul. I don’t catch hurtling four-year olds adroitly.
I feel as if I should have shoulder pads and a helmet. And when he lands it is all I can do to stop bawling “touch down!”
We picked up his knapsack in a state of high optimism and headed for the car where a slightly wary dog was waiting. He would join us on a jaunt round the forest, and might just benefit from a cocktail sausage or two. Four-year olds do tend to drop things.
Radiant sunshine lit the forest and the three of us selected a picnic table. Out came the rolls.
Rule number one: when faced with a ravenous four-year old, don’t give them a whole roll.
Al enthusiastically stuffed bite after bite into his mouth. Clearly mastication was for wimps and the little boy was out to optimise the space in this small cavity. It could take a lot of punishment, I had to admit: but was he really attempting to stuff an entire cheese roll at one go?
“Whoa, whoa there, Al. You need to finish your mouthful before you take another one….”
We settled on a routine. I’d make a human barrier between Al and the food, because he was lightning quick on the draw, and sausages and chocolate fingers could disappear in there at a speed faster than the eye can perceive. Thwarted, he’d finish his mouthful. I’d say: “Is there anything left in there, Al?” and be treated to a graphic demonstration that his mouth was very empty indeed. And then, like a traffic policeman, I waved the next chocolate finger/grape/sausage/crisp in.
We both found the routine suited us admirably.
And so did the dog: the pace facilitated several food drops which justified his chosen location, just beneath Al under the table.
Knuckles the spiny anteater was proffered a square meal: a roll; a grape; a sausage; a chocolate finger.
The sun had come out, the playground was bustling, the forest beckoned; and all was well with the world.
Kate Shrewsday 
Well done on the hairpin turn, Auntie Kate! The day and a small boy’s needs – all saved!
Yes, I loved that hairpin bend in the conversation too.
I tried the same tactic today with less success: you have to be quick on your feet to catch Big Al 🙂
You are the best 🙂 fabulous post!
Thanks Linda 🙂
A masterful approach to tantrum management – haha – very impressed am I – that picnic sounds yummy.
It was very nice, though I confess to having more crisps than perhaps was wise. The dog had too many sausages too, but he sees that as a huge plus.
Well done oh guardian of the mouth
Thank you, Sidey. If only I were as good at guarding my own.
So many things about this post stand out for me, besides Big Al, who is always a joy. The hairpin turn, already cited above. The word ‘masticated’ applied to a four year old mouth. The art of ‘see food,’ what we always called opening our mouths when we had food in them. The admission that Big Al is a top notch thespian, something already established back when he was Joseph in the Christmas play.
Waking up in the middle of the night is always a treat when I have your post and several others to read, but this one shines, Kate. You really adore Big Al, and it shines through every line.
🙂 Thank you, Andra! I wish you had been there. You would have had such a great time.
What a beautiful picnic – the dog and Al must have had the best of times 🙂
Yes, a good time was had by all, Tandy. Today’s project? Why blueberry muffins using your recipe, of course….
Distraction is the better part of valour when it comes to small children. Well done 🙂
Thanks, Tilly. Not always my strongest suit, distraction, but it worked today 🙂
Such a wonderful Aunt you are; a little tricky, mind you, but, the ends justify the means in this case. You would have made a great magician with your ability to create diversions…food tricks any male into doing what the ladies want us to do.
Must remember that with grown ups, Lou 🙂
It is wonderful to return to find that all is well in the Shrewsday world, Kate, and Big Al as entertaining as ever 🙂
BB! How lovely to red your voice! Missed you heaps, hope you are well 🙂
If only our worldly problems could be solved on a hairpin turn, sausages, and chocolate fingers. Another fine telling of life with Big Al in your most expert of ways, Kate.
Sausages solve many things, chocolate fingers even more, Penny 🙂
Letting the cat out of the bag, are we? Flaunting which is the wiser gender, hmm? I suspect you shall be receiving a knock at the door…
Auntie’s prerogative, Brett 🙂
Dear Kate,
A wonderful post. Thank you for sharing Al with us.
Peace.
Thanks Dee 🙂
I love the abrupt change of topic gambit. And a picnic is always inspired!
It’s a great trick if you can pull it off in this climate, Cameron!
I well remember the menagerie of soft toys accompanying us everywhere – we had to set a limit n the end.
One each on a day out and three each for a holiday. Each one had a voice and on a long car journey up North there would be an enactment with six voices, including Shakey the Lion, Caroline Crab, Hobsie (a ginger cat) George the Monkey …. you get the picture. Very amoozing for a little while, but it palled after three hours.
Distraction, as Tilly said….. I couldn’t have put it better. That and bribery, I found. Thumbs up to Big Al
Ah, yes, bribery. My favourite 🙂
Your mobile menagerie sounds just wonderful. I’d have loved to see them all in action!
we still have a whole basket full of soft toys and the boys are…. well one’s a man, chronologically 🙂
Food is an effective and acceptable distraction in most situations. Nicely played.
Cheers Patti 🙂 Most relieved it worked!
I read your post this morning while watching our three-year-old granddaughter have a similar meltdown. I swear they do have on and off switches. I love your Al, and really giggled, a bit at your expense, I fear, that he could command such a scene. Somehow when it isn’t my own child I tend to admire the spunk! I never refer to the word bribery with a child–I think of it as creative incentive! Maybe that is something I can pass along 🙂 Have a really lovely family weekend, Kate. Debra
Wonderful strategy, Aunt Kate . . . and also one we should remember to apply when our own thoughts head south and are threatening to disappear over the horizon. 😀
I love your descriptions! 🙂