I scream, you scream, we all scream for SANITY!

I'm not going to lie.  I'm a little distraught.  I hate to be that person that focuses on the negative, especially when I have so much positive in my life.  I am a very fortunate person and I am so blessed with amazing, healthy children.  But here's the thing - (you knew there was a "but" didn't you?!) I have run out of ideas for getting Little E to cooperate, and by cooperate, I mean not scream like a crazy banshee every time something doesn't go exactly how she wants it.  Exhibit A - she's in her carseat.  She wants a new movie in the dvd player.  I tell her, "I can't change it right now because I'm driving."  She starts screaming.  REALLY screaming, at the top of her lungs as if she is being tortured.  I'm not kidding.  A bystander might think I am reaching behind my seat pulling off her toenails.  So then, in the midst of her screaming, she starts kicking wildly, so much so, that her shoe flies off.  This sends her into an even greater frenzy, because now she has lost her shoe.  The screaming turns into a mixture of shrieking and shouting, "I WANT MY CROC! I WANT MY CROC!!"  And, I'm driving.  So there's nothing I can do.  I can't get her shoe.  I can't look her in the eye and reason with her.  I can't do anything.  And it's exhausting.

I don't want you to think my Little E is a bad kid.  She's simply not.  She is really a very well-behaved child for the most part.  She is sweet and endearing and utterly hilarious.  She brightens my day every single day.  It's just these moments that test me...these brain-rattling moments of insanity.  I had these moments with Miss A - I remember that.  I know they weren't as frequent.  I know they weren't as animated, and I know that Miss A's will was much easier to break.  She would express her distaste for something and generally get over it rather quickly.  She didn't like being in trouble...and still doesn't it.  She's just more sensitive.  Little E is as tough as nails in that regard.  She could care less whether you are happy about your behavior or not.  In fact, I think she might quite like to be put up on a stage for her fits.  She would like everyone to witness her steadfast tantrums.  Step right up!  Come one! Come all!

I bought a book, "Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline." It's been very enlightening and I can say it has changed my approach in many ways. It's been very helpful with Miss A. I think it could be effective with Little E if she didn't have her crazy super parental deflector shield on overdrive all the time. Remember that litlte saying, "I'm rubber, you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you?" She takes it to a whole new level. Everything I say bounces off her - and jumps up and slaps me in the face.

I just don't know what to do.  I don't know how to get through to her.  Is that my problem?  Is there any getting through to her or is this one of those phases I have to wait out?  And by waiting it out, I mean trying to somehow braid back together the end of my rapidly fraying rope.  I need some advice.  Or co-misery.  Something to let me know that this is normal.