When they don't listen to a thing you say. Literally. It's been this way for a few weeks now. I have been so frustrated by her lack of listening skills.
(And yes, I do realize she is only three)
For instance:
Every day when it's time to leave,
I give everyone a 5-10 minute head up.
I wander the house gathering things,
and telling people to put shoes on.
I even bring them their shoes
(usually flip flops)and lay them at their feet.
Then, when I'm ready to walk out the door, I shout,
"Is everyone ready?"
"No."
"Why?"
"My shoes aren't on."
"Okay, where are they?"
"Right here."
"Put them on."
"Right now?"
"Right now."
Audrey is ready. But, what does Lauren say?
"Just a minute mom."
Every time.
And I say, "I'll give you a minute."
(In my mean grimacing voice, you know you have one too.)
But, usually I have to drop everything, go find her, drag her to the door, and put her shoes on...you know, the one's that were sitting right next to her on the couch? Ya, those ones. All the while she is kicking and screaming. Not because
she doesn't want her shoes on, but because
she wants to do what
she wants to do, no matter what.
I've tried everything:Threats of punishment.
Threats of rewards.
Swats on the bum.
Pretending I'm leaving her behind.
Time Out.
Triple-back-flips.
(Those didn't really do much)And, I've reached the bottom of my patience barrel.
Would someone that knows more than me please help me figure out how to stop this madness? Because I feel like I'm saying and doing the same things over
and over and over and nothing is working, and I know it's not working, but I don't know anything else.
Like in the car...why does it bother me that they (mostly Lauren) can't keep their shoes on for a
2 minute car ride, let alone a 30 minute one? And, I can't help put them back on,
that is a crime punishable by death in my car. No, I have to wait 5 minutes for them to be put back on, by themselves...IN SLOW MOTION!
Or, when they are sassing back, or being loud and I'm trying to get their attention to stop them...and they won't stop for even one second, so I keep getting louder
and louder and louder. Then I'm yelling before they stop and stare at me like a deer in the headlights. And, then they give me that look again that says, "Oh great, mom's yelling again." And, 5 minutes later they are just doing the same thing they were before.
And, why can't they help clean up? For real.
I'm pretty sure I missed the basic training course for How To Be A Good Mom. Has anyone else made it to this course? Because I'd really like to copy your notes.
The ONLY thing that has kept me from hanging signs from their necks that read, "Free," and standing them in front of the house...is that they look so sweet and peaceful at night, in bed, asleep.
(And no, I really wouldn't do that) Can you please tell me how you can love something so much, and yet all you want to do some days is run away? And, why am I so
grateful for these little stink bugs, when they cause me so much heartburn? Plus, they are only 3 and 5! What will I do when they are 15 and 17?
