It’s that time of year again. We are all making (and already breaking) those New Year’s resolutions. Every year I resolve to really focus on my children. To work on patience, grace and to really enjoy them in this busy season of our lives. It isn’t an easy task as I’m sure every mom out there will tell you. We get so many, “Enjoy them while they are young, it goes by so fast.” But ultimately when your in the trenches of raising mostly unreasonable, completely dependent humans with an endless amount of energy we get TIRED.

It’s important to keep a survival guide in your back pocket for those days that you feel are never going to end. For those days when you feel like you may just literally “LOSE IT.” This can include a lot of things from devotions, to prayer, to “me time”, to lunch with friends etc. Here’s a quick tool to add to your survival tool box.

Wine Pairings for Toddler Tantrums

Moscato / Car Tantrums ; Chilled, this sweet wine is pleasant to the palate and easy to drink in large quantities (if needed.) A confined space is never conducive to a calm environment especially when screaming children are involved, and we all know kids HATE sitting still.

Chardonnay / Sibling Rivalry Tantrums; Chilled, this wine has a buttery rich flavor that pairs well on hot days when your kids have been inside too long and won’t stop fighting.

Riesling / Completely Absurd and Unreasonable Arguments; Chilled, the floral notes in this somewhat dryer wine will take you away during the, ” Mommy, when is Christmas?”  ” It’s 364 days away honey.”  ” THAT’S TOO LOOONGGG!” or ” What color is the sky?” “It’s blue dear.” “No, its GREEN!”  type meltdowns.

Pinot Grigio/ The Very Public Tantrum; This dry white wine has a punchy acidity with flavors of lemons, limes, green apples and honeysuckle that can really help to buffer those underlying urges you get during an epic meltdown at HEB.

Rose’ / Clothing Tantrums; This floral, fruity wine is great for those “No, I’m sorry, your boots don’t match your pj’s and your pants are too tight/too lose, not pink or have a hole.” Life’s not fair, but my wine can be cold and sweet.

Red Blend/ Food Tantrums; This wine can really help buffer those ridiculous food tantrums with it’s black cherry and blackberry,  mingled with spice and oak notes. ” I can’t drink that its in a BLUE cup, I said PINK.” or ” I won’t eat that banana, it’s broken!” (Insert eye roll emoji here)

Pinot Noir / Bed Time Tantrums (Or just sleepless nights) ; This earthy red is just what those bed time tantrums, getting up out of bed for water/potty/book/monsters/tummy/lips hurt/need socks excuses, changing sheets at midnight (again) deserve. 

Merlot / Rainy Day, I’m BORED Tantrums; Nothing says relax like a nice glass of Merlot, a fruity mix with cocoa and black pepper. It will warm you up after a long day of entertaining and refereeing the kids. 

Cabernet/ Responsibility Tantrums; A full-bodied red wine with dark fruit flavors and savory tastes from black pepper to bell pepper is just what you need as you relax and your child grumpily mopes around after throwing an epic fit about having to pick up their toys/ rooms/ clothes etc. I often get the, “Why do I have to do EVERYTHING around here!?” and mine are just 5 and 7. 

Port Paired with Chocolate/ Potty Training; Enough said. 

 

Listen, if wine’s not your thing, pick your poison but we are all doing the best we can. We don’t have the answers to everything and we can’t make everyone happy all the time. Our kids are healthy, safe, and loved. Isn’t that what really matters? 

Stay true to your resolutions, but know that no mommy can do it alone! Keep your cup full and your survival kit stocked!