What a great post Kate! We don't have kids unfortunately, wasn't meant to be obviously but we love them and have some friends with little ones so get to spend some time with them on occasion. Today at work I was trying to consult with a lady in my office. She had walked in and needed some assistance. She had a baby that was tearing it up! I mean, this kid was going full retard! I could not concentrate and ended up calling a halt to the meeting. I will be seeing her again tomorrow to complete the consult.

I really respect parents who handle their kids tantrums calmly rather than escalating the situation themselves. However, the way I understand it that's not always possible. Sometimes you get snotted on! Like you today I guess. :)

I observe people, it's a pastime I enjoy and I see many parents actually drowning in parenthood. They give it all up, everything, to parent and I think whilst the child needs good parenting the parent also needs to be themselves. A human bing. In your case a Kate in particular.

We can't be all things to everyone and as human beings are fallible. It seems you handled your daughter's tantrum in a reasonable way and your subsequent sobbing is normal I think. I haven't been in a position you were in before but empathise in that it can't be easy.

Seems you handled it well and as for the sobbing? Well, like a phoenix you will rise from the ashes of desperation and be new again....Just hand her over to @munchell and take a break.

It's hard to believe that little angel in your last picture could throw such a tantrum, but then I scrolled back to the snot photo at the top and it all made sense. :) Really good post Kate! I'm Resteeming this one!