Homework Meltdown

As a full time nanny, I've seen my share of melt downs. Luckily the little girl I've been watching since freshmen year has her head screwed on tight most of the time. She's a very bright kid but those are the ones you have to watch out for, because they know exactly how far they can test you. Unfortunately for Emily, she realized on Monday that I can push buttons right back.

Homework is a daily struggle of a second grader. No eight year old wants to get off the bus and go straight to reading a book! Though it's a pain I remember all too well, it's necessary. The afternoon started as it usually does between Emily and I. I begged, bribed and prayed for her to read but she was not having any of it. I might as well asked her to preform brain surgery. After a fierce stare-off, I managed to convince her to read two chapters and then right a few sentences down. Once she had finished, I tried to make light of her nasty attitude and crack a joke. She was not amused and stomped off to watch TV with not one but two forbidden snacks. I told her to put the snacks back and get something healthier. She stared at me while cranking up the volume on the TV. Two can play at this game.

I walked to the TV, took the remote, turned it off and carried the remote back into the kitchen where I sat down silently. This is when she began to lose her young mind. Emily began muttering something under her breath and started pacing around the island in the kitchen as I sat quietly with my cell phone. After she realized this wasn't getting her any attention, she stood next to me completely still until the full tantrum set in. I'm not exaggerating when I say she dropped to the floor in a mere split second and then began moaning and groaning at the top of her lungs. It took everything in me not to burst out laughing. I thought this was the worst of it but she quickly proved me wrong as she started to roll on the floor, moaning and slapping her face against the table legs. Then she took her shoe off and began to poke me with it. She still was not going to get any attention from me. At this moment, her mother walked in absolutely hysterical with laughter. I explained the situation and then showed her a video I had stealthily captured. Needless to say, Emily learned the tough lesson that adults can give the silent treatment too.

(the black thing on the left is her dog)