First, let me say that I'm really sorry this week's OM for me isn't of the positive sort. I'm sure by the time I'm finished writing it, I'll find something to say that is remotely positive (because that is what I do to survive). This week is more about being honest with my feelings and hoping to relate to others.
I've had a tough parenting week. I won't bore you with the details, but I'll give you a rundown of the various separate incidents involved:
- missing child (no worries, he was found)
- deliberate deception
- x-rays
- overflowing toilet (of the worst kind)
These parenting issues have always been the same. Kids find ways to get what they want. It's a part of growing up. Didn't we all think that the ends justifies the means?! But the consequential end result is always the same: frustration, anger, resentment, cold shoulder, slammed doors, pouting - from either parent or child). [I didn't do the slamming door part.]
Parenting can really suck! No matter how you slice it, we all go through this as both parents and kids. I guess my "moment" this week was saying this out loud and then enforcing the rules and consequences I've now set up. It's hard to punish your children. It's hard to stay consistent with the punishment. But it would be an even harder lesson learned if I didn't follow through with this. I'm sticking to my guns. Don't do the crime if you can't pay the time! [channeling my inner Baretta and revealing my age here]. I need a drink.
So here is the positive spin...Yesterday, while wallowing in parenting self-pity, I read this blog post by Jessica Gottlieb -You stuck that where? I follow Jessica on Twitter and often read her blog. Her post made me laugh and relate. It made me realize I'm not alone in this parenting vacuum. We all have our moments!
What was your 'one moment' this week? What took you out of your present moment and made you wonder, scream, remember?
Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below) or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter, I've started a hash tag - #OMmeetup so that we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!
![om [one moment] meet up](http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/alamodestuff/OM_alamodemeetupbutton.jpg)
I hear you! For awhile it seemed like parenting was getting easier as they aged...but now, it's getting harder again! At least the xrays didn't end in a cast! :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like the summer is gonna start with some strict rules...perhaps they'll learn quickly and the rest of the summer will proceed w/less incidents!
Oh those boys! They are all just so full of stuff. I read Jessica's post and it gave me a much needed laugh.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the Baretta reference! Sing it in my head from time to time :)
Hang in there with parenting. Feel free to vent to me anytime about your boys' misadventures!
OK, you've got me topped this week but just check my facebook status to see how sh*tty my day has started! Anyway, I've linked up a beautiful artist and beautiful story and in writing about him, I was definitely taken out of my ordinary day! Be careful, this might inflict a few tears! xoxo Beth
ReplyDeleteAs you know Linda, I have those same kind of OMs and I don't expect them to get any easier now that my kids are in middle school. As for that drink? I'm just a short crawl away if you're up for a wine/beer thirty. xox
ReplyDeleteWould it make me a terrible person if I said that I'd take the ear thing over an overflowing toilet?
ReplyDeleteI mean I got snuggles, you got poop.
I remember those days Linda. And, no, it doesn't get better the older they get. But, you will look back on these moments one day and smile very big. They go by soooo fast.
ReplyDeleteCyn-hope your father is doing well.
Best to all!
Wendy
When my son was 2 he announced "Doggie All Gone!". We found out he meant he had just flushed a rubber dog down the toilet. When we went up to take a look my daughter had just pooped and flushed. Naturally it all backed up all over everything. My father in law had to come over and they literally had to tear the whole toilet out of the floor (second floor!) and get a new one. We still laugh to this day about it. How I wish I could snag back a couple of those days when they were little. My daughter did a lot of babysitting for kids that could've doubled for the anti-christ. One day we were at the mall and some toddler was screaming bloody murder. She looked over at me and calmly said "You realize that's the sound of my eggs exploding, don't you?"
ReplyDeleteMy one moment came when my kids left to go back to there lives. Feeling a little bereft I read your moment and wished just one of those crazy mom-hysteria inducing days back :) You'll get there and yelling at your kids is just part of it. When you start sucking your thumb in the corner... then worry.
Oh, I need a drink to.
ReplyDeleteWell let me say that I believe boys are easier then girls. My girl could hold a grudge for a week...while my boy...all you had to do was crack a stupid joke and he was done...
ReplyDelete