I just sat down to look at my email and I saw this in the subject line of a message: “Plan Ahead For Fail.” I was struck by it because I am in the middle of a parenting fail moment and I thought “Wow! What perfect timing!” But when I looked again I realized it just said “Plan Ahead For Fall” and I was mentally grasping at straws. This is truly the middle of the summer doldrums, when the children and I have spent a lot of time together, just me, my kid, and his annoying little brother. Or seen the other way, me, my kid, and his obnoxious older brother. Can’t you just hear the bickering from where you sit? Today, after several weeks of days in a row when we simply can’t get through it without an episode of fighting, complaining, talking back, or just plain entitled behavior no matter how I structure the behavior/reward way of life, I finally lost it. Up until now I’ve been pretty good at holding my temper in check, keeping my language clean, doling out consequences and scolding when necessary. People who witness me NOT losing my temper might wonder what I mean by that, because it’s all relative. I’m not exactly calm, cool, and collected ever. But you’d understand if you saw me lose my shit today. I feel, of course, incredibly guilty about it now. It’s not the first time it’s happened and for God’s sake they’re only 6 and 8. It won’t be the last. It’s a good reminder that now is a good time for me to take a little break, and that daily meditation, stretching, and walking practice is something I should never skip. That’s planning ahead to handle “fail” with a little bit more grace than I did today.
Just One Paragraph 13/30
And now add a young puppy in the mix (though to be fair, one of my kids is away at camp).
kim/the maker mom recently posted…$100 Classroom Giveaway (Sponsored)
I’ve spent time with you and I’ve never seen you lose your shit. You, on the other hand have seen me lose mine. I don’t think any of us know what we’re doing and thankfully, or hopefully rather, the kids won’t remember us for losing our shit.
Ha. Losing your shit is just life’s little way of reminding us that we’re all human.
Don’t worry. I’m sure mom lost her shit more times than she can count, but I only remember two…no three instances and we love her all the same.
Right there with you. Feeling like “but I’m such a good mom!” yet “are these two possibly going to grow up to be good people? they seem like a-holes!” All the same things you are describing.
RookieMom Whitney recently posted…My very strong opinions about kids’ backpacks
Yes Whitney. As a person who chose to work from home so that I could care for them vs. using after-school care or a babysitter, these episodes make me feel like a failure at my most important job. I’m clinging to their better moments. Right now they are playing in the backyard like normal children.
Kim Tracy Prince recently posted…The Great Period Debate
We all lose our shit Kim. (At least I’m pretty sure it’s all of us.) But yes, it sucks. Big time. Remember, that’s what wine is for. (Or you can take the high road and do the whole stretching, meditating, walking thing. Whatever.)
And in 3 short weeks your summer doldrums will be over (and you can get back on the hiking trail!)
Charlene Ross recently posted…Just Lose It: What It’s Really Like to Join a Six-Week Weight Loss Competition (Week 3)
We’re supposed to keep our language clean?
All summer?
Shit.