To all the moms at Toddler Tuesday Mall of America-

As you sit and stare, I lift my two, thirty pound toddlers out of the stroller, moments before they start objecting to being in it. Nope, they won't just sit in their stroller to watch the Pirate show. They have never liked strollers and go to leaps and bounds to escape them... literally. They are curious and love to explore beyond their boundaries.

As you sit and stare, I help them put on their "leashes" and wonder how many of you are objecting.

As you sit and stare, I let them run around and I try not to pull them like dogs, when they run in opposite directions. It's inevitable, that at some point, I will have to give a slight tug and one will probably fall. She will be okay. They are twins. They are tough.

As you sit and stare, my toddlers get bored fast. They are independent, inquisitive, and never stop exploring... in different directions. Can I blame them for not wanting to sit on their own cute little mat and watch the lame one-man pirate show? He didn't even have a costume!

As you sit and stare, I wonder WHY your toddlers are not doing the same. Yes, it does cross my mind that I am doing something wrong, when I see your toddlers sitting patiently beside you. Trust me, I have wondered this their whole life. Until I blink again and remember that my kids ROCK.
Never. A. Dull. Moment.

As you sit and stare, I try and remain calm in order to keep my twins from "getting to that point".

I fail miserably.

As you sit and stare, I struggle to cope with two 2 year olds, as they throw themselves onto the floor and replicate human pretzels while they scream. Again, how can I blame them? For one single second they were running full speed towards Nickelodeon Universe. Hmmmm... one man pirate show or the world's largest indoor amusement park!

I know I will not win this battle, as the two of them combined are much stronger than I.

As you sit and stare, you begin to talk, point, and give nasty expressions. If you didn't notice, your children are angelically sitting next to you, absorbing everything you do... or should I say 'don't' do.

I should have never left my stroller over there by all the "good" toddlers. Lord forbid one of you get it for me.

As you sit and stare, you wonder, have her children never left the house?

I wonder, have YOURS?

As you sit and stare, twenty-five minutes pass by and I am still struggling to get my toddlers off the ground and in control of their emotions. No thank you, I won't spank them or threaten them for expressing the qualities that make them who they are... and the qualities I love about them.

I will, however, stay with them while they "tantrum" and let them know that I am always there for them, especially when those scary emotions overtake their little minds and bodies. They will not be shamed for something they can't yet control.

As you sit and stare, I will, for lack of a better option, sit down on the dirty floor with them as they scream, in my new sun dress, in the middle of the Mall of America, for as long as it takes.

As you still sit and stare, my girls have naturally overcome their massive emotions. They hug me and place their hands on my face, rubbing my forehead as if to console me... and I know that we've strengthened our connection even more.

With 30 pounds on each hip, we go get our stroller.

You, my fellow mothers, have just missed your one-man show.

For my fellow mothers of highly spirited multiples or children:
  
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher