(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?
3 comments:
Oh my gosh I totally had one of those days today as well. My boys didn't do anything terrible--just the normal stuff they usually do--but today I just could not cope for anything.
I am flying solo right now and we went for a ride before bedtime because I had to just get out of the house before I totally lost my mind. I got them a milkshake to share (meaning 1 small shake divided between 2 cups) to drink while I washed the car and tried to scrub all off all of the bugs. The last thing I said before I left the car was "don't take the lids off your shakes or you will have to give it me"--I already had someone spill smoothie all over the floor today. During the 4 minute wash I confiscated both milkshakes because neither boy could go without taking the lid off. They cried the whole way home because I threw their milkshakes away. Brig even told me he was going to throw me away because he was so mad. I said, "Please do."
Bedtime could not come soon enough in my house tonight. So needless to say, I don't have any great advice but I do have an empathetic ear. Hope tomorrow is better--for both of us.
Ummmm....NOWAY.
15 & 17?!!! Pray!
They are so freakin' CUTE!
Mine is only 1 and she is already as sassy as ever, (but you know that) I think she does it on purpose just to see what she can get away with. (She is only 1.) She already knows what buttons to push and faces to pull that really get me going. (She is only 1!) What the crap am I gong to do when she is 3 and 5 and 17? Oh please help me now. Our kids must be from the same gene pool:) I love you rach and even though they might not listen and you don't think your doing it right, I think you are a fabulous mother. And until we figure things out, I will keep on praying!
Post a Comment