AG and I headed off to church this morning and I just figured that today would be like any other day at church.  Here’s the kiddo all ready to go.

When I put AG in the toddler room she started fussing, which is unusual for her.  I just figured it was being tired and clingy from last night.  I checked on her mid-service (I peek through the window and try not to get caught) and she was sitting on one of the teacher’s lap, playing with duplo blocks and having a great time.  But when I go to pick her up she is inconsoleable.  They said that she had been crying for 20 minutes or more. (I wished they had paged me.  We have a little pager system for the nursery and toddlers.) She was having little mini tantrums after I picked her up and just so upset.  My big concern is that last Sunday night Dana took her to church and there was a fussy kid in the toddler room.  Anna Grace did great for a while but finally that kid got her all upset and she started crying for quite a while.

So now I have two weekends in a row that she’s crying in there.  I know most kids cry in there every day but she is usually quite happy.  My fear?  She’ll start to associate that room with something bad.  She always claps and can’t wait to get into the toddler room but all of a sudden she doesn’t want to be there.  I was hoping it was just a phase but I know my daughter.  She does hold strong associations to things even with just a brief exposure.

I got AG in the car, tried to console her with crackers and she inhaled them.  They give them a snack in there but maybe she didn’t eat.  I think she just lost it over being uncomfortable and then adding hungry into the mix.  Anyway, by the time we got home she was doing better but still a bit emotional.

I debated about going back tonight.  I didn’t want her to have another bad experience but if we wait too long to try again will that make it worse?  I decided to trust my gut and give it a try.  My plan was to try to stay in with her for a bit and then sneak out.  The sunday school director, however, was not in favor of this plan.  I was frustrated but figured I’ll give it a shot and if she freaks we’ll just go home.  Three times she tried to bolt right when we got in front of the door.  Then she saw someone walk in and she was interested.  The teacher distracted her with bubbles and she went right in.  Without incident.  Making her mother look like a fool for talking to the sunday school director.  (Parental Embarrassment To Do List, Item #48?  Check!)

The mystery remains as to whether there is something rocking her boat? is she just emotional because her bottom hurts? is this just a phase? or is this a toddler plot to get the mom riled up?  Whatever it is there was no sign of it when we got home.   She was playful, wanting to be chased, giggling.  Like nothing ever happened.

I think at any other time this would have been a concern but I wouldn’t have been so affected by it.  I feel I’m at the summit of what I can handle and tolerate.  This just tipped the scales in the wrong direction… just a tad.

Anyway, tonight went great.  She had a great time and if she cried, nobody confessed and told me about it.