I know I put a funny spin on most of what goes on in my house. But I confess here and now, it's hard and there are a LOT of times when I don't think this is funny at all. I feel like I'm standing on top of a mountain screaming and flailing my arms while the rest of the world watches, sniggers and thumbs through their parenting manuals.
This time, I'm asking for confirmation or perspective; no matter what stage of the game you are in; whether you have raised your kids and enjoy grandkids or you are holding your first infant in your arms.
How do we do this? What do you do when you truly believe you are at wit's end? How do you redirect the frustration another child creates in your home from crashing down on your own simply because they are yours and if that OTHER kid doesn't know better....YOURS sure does. What about budding hormones? THAT'S a whole new WORLD of temper tantrums I can't begin to describe.
You know, I pray for guidance (and believe it or not there is never any thunder or lightening!) No major signs, just a little flicker of common sense will suffice. I consider that gift enough from the Almighty. But am I alone in those days when the tears are burning all the way down into my throat and it feels like there's a cable zip-tie around my chest because I just don't know what to do or if I'm doing it right? In all my "wisdom" have I actually chosen the wrong path for my children?
I know what I've learned frommy own bad choices and others' mistakes. However, I also want them to make their own and prove to themselves how strong (I know) they are. A wonderful, wise friend of mine always reassures me: "We ALL screw up our kids somehow." Mistakes are human and no matter what we'd like to think, that's all we are.
Here's my week in a nutshell: Monday: Maddie forgot her homework. We had to hustle back to school to get it then streamline it to horseback riding lessons (a normal forty-five minute jaunt) and after ninety minutes, zoom home for dinner that had been over simmering in the crock pot. It's seven O'clock and we are just getting started. She eats and begins. She has so much, I let her slide and tell her that only the stuff due next day must be completed. she drags her sleepy lil head to bed at nine. Tuesday: Maddie forgot SOME of her homework (internet research) but didn't realize it until 4:45..school's closed. I surfed for thirty minutes trying to find a bloomin web site. God's gift? I got it. Somehow I found it. She finished her report and dragged to bed late again. Wednesday: Began tough because no one could get out of bed. Too tired. Ben forgot his homework and then lied about it. He and his friend got into a little trouble....(see previous blog) Thursday: The morning began with Ben realizing that a project was due...THAT MORNING. We sat at the breakfast table finishing it. I colored until my fingers ached. I gritted my teeth and threatened to ground him until he was MY age if he EVER did this again. His pal came after school and they got into more trouble.
Throw the rest of my life into the mix and I sadly realize that my fuse just keeps getting shorter. I struggle with keeping perspective. I don't want to blow a rod over simple petty things, but it seems like they just accumulate and occur at an alarming rate. Individually, they are no big deal but stack them up? Whoa Nelly! Please drop a line...a hint...tell me that I can find a longer one at the bottom of my Easter basket or inside a Reese's peanut butter egg. (I'll hunt for that one for days and days.) Better still? Tell me I'm not alone on this one. Let me know you have done this too. Or am I just in need of a higher dose? hee hee.
Looking forward to comments or stories.
Thanks for stopping in and listening.
Cheers to better days.
