Do I still make ice cream with them or stick to my guns?

[ShinyAndNew]

I promised the dc yesterday that I would make ice cream with them today, using dd2's new ice cream maker.

We had to go to the shop for ingredients. I thought it would be nice if they came with me and chose the treats and toppings for the ice cream.

They usually behave like wild animals in the shop, but are generally fairly controllable(ish). Lately however they seem to have developed a blatant disregard for anything I say. They just do NOT listen to me, at all. In the slightest.

They were warned before we went that they must listen and not run around like maniacs. They did NOT listen. They crawled up the isles. Dd2 in her brand new white trousers. They rifled through all the magazines. They squealed like banshees. They grabbed ice lollies from the freezers and they did not stop and calm down when I asked them.

So we went home with nothing. And there will be no ice cream making today.

Is that fair? Or an over reaction? I did warn them before hand that they must listen or else I wouldn't do it with them.

stick to your threat - no ice cream today- and tell them exactly why.

And don't buy white trainers again!

No, don't back down. But tell them they can redeem themselves tomorrow by getting the ingredients then - one more chance to behave properly. How old are they btw? I'm basing this on how I would be with my 6 and 5 years olds.

6 and just turned 3. I did not buy the white trousers, they were a birthday gift from mil, who clearly does not my children very well. I avoid white at all costs.

Oh I hate hen I tell them if they are naughty we wont do x.y.z then end up kicking myself for the rest of the day because I really wanted to do it!

But no, you cant go back on it now.

Yes, stick to your decision, but give them another chance tomorrow. I would do exactly the same for a just turned 3 year old. Can you encourage the 6 year old to help the 3 year old behave in order to get the treat?

sorry white trousers not trainers! typical mil - my mil always buys my girls skirts and dresses that have to be ironed

Plumm, the 6 yo was instigating most of it. The three year old is fairly good in the shop on her own. She will wander up and down the isles and bring me things she might not be allowed, but she will always put them back when she is asked. The 6 yo also behaves wonderfully when she is on her own. It is when they are together, they turn into monsters.

Ha ha, sorry not really funny but my two are exactly the same - fine on their own but total wind up merchants together. Could you just take the 3 year old tomorrow and talk about how good she was when you are making the ice cream? Much less stress for you and you get the ice cream. Maybe you can give the older one a special job helping you to clear up afterwards. Divide and conquer!