The "Mum face"

I had to blog this one... On Friday evening, Trent was throwing a tantrum, this is a new thing for him. He didn't want to eat, he slapped his sippy cup away, he didn't want to sit on the floor, didn't want to stand up, and didn't want to be held. He just wanted to make a scene. I got a little frustrated with him and just put him on the floor. Then, with hands on hips I put on a stern face and voice and told him that I wasn't put on this earth to pander to him and if he was going to act like that he could sit there until he was ready to be a good boy. Then it happened. I gave him the mum face. I've seen it done. My mum had one that could freeze me to the spot. I didn't realize I had one until that exact moment in time. It just happened. I was as surprised by it as anyone reading this.

What was more surprising was the effect it had on Trent. He immediately stopped crying. Sat on the floor looking up at me as quiet as can be. We locked stares. Brian came in and went to pick Trent up or give him a toy. I calmly told him, without taking my eyes off the kid, that Trent was in time out right now. Brian backed away and watched. Trent and I still locked in a stare. "Mum face" in full swing. After 2 minutes or so I told Trent he was a very good boy, and then we resumed normal activities. Trent was perfectly well behaved after that and Brian damn near fell over with surprise over what just happened. I damn well nearly did too. He actually listened. He actually obeyed. He actually understood the "Mum face". Amazing.

I hope to never see the "mum face" in the mirror. I expect it's not very flattering.