So, after yesterday's great afternoon of outdoor work and play, Hunter–who had been up late New Year's Eve with some other 3 and 4 year olds at a fine little local party we all went to–decided to have a small fit when he couldn't find the exact Handy Manny episode he wanted to watch on some netflix dvd. Well, there was no calming this kid down. He partied late the night before, got up at 6am like a freak, and insisted on staying outside the whole time we hauled wood. He was kicking and crying like one of the possessed and it wasn't pleasant to hear, nor could it be quieted. Here's what I did: I turned off the video–screams and howls, picked the kid up–more howls and some kicks, and calmly carried him to his room. I then commenced to alternately hug and soothe with words while holding down this 3 and a half year old's angry body with my legs. I tell you, it was a work out, but I didn't let go. He cried and wriggled and yelled and told me, "no, it's not ok!" but I held on. And you know what? That boy began to calm down. I started to give him a little back rub while explaining to him that his body needed rest from so much holiday action and he understood. The hollering got down to a few whiny, "but, but, buts…" which finally stopped with some good old fashioned arm rubbing. The kid was asleep. And I was totally psyched. I didn't yell, I didn't get angry, I just held him down and hugged and talked to him, and it worked. Freaking love and hugs.