Look at their sweet faces. Can they really drive me crazy? Yes. Yes they can.
Mom?
What?
Um….mom?
What?!
Mom…can I have…um….
WHAT?! You’re stressing me out, kid!
Some days, I am full of love and patience and only soft words for my children. Other days, though, I am impatient and unkind. I am Old Yeller. Trivial things get under my skin. Usually ones that happen after some major annoyance. (Like the toddler knocking over an entire two-liter of Sierra Mist on purpose as you’re pouring a little bit for your sick preschooler who’s laying on the couch. And that was after the dog puked on the floor and the kitty jumped up on the kitchen counter and ate my breakfast.) There are times when I imagine living with cameras in my house, recording my every move. Super Nanny wouldn’t approve.
I …
“Mommy, a girl at preschool wants these scary looking dolls for Christmas.”
Which dolls, honey? Monster High dolls?
“Yes. I don’t think they teach good lessons, so I don’t want any.”
Huzzah! I got through to her! Somewhere along the way, through our many discussions about what is healthy and what is appropriate, she got it. Now, what to do about that Disney Princess Moon Walk she keeps asking for…
Barbie seems like a prude compared to this, um, creature. (image from fanpop.com)
Best part about this cinnamon roll? Zero Weight Watchers points.
I can’t right now, I have to make lunch.
I can’t right now, I have to change sister’s diaper.
I can’t right now, I have to clean up the mess from lunch.
I can’t right now, I have to do a little work on the computer.
I can’t right now, I have to go to the bathroom.
I can’t right now, I have to fold laundry.
I can’t right now, (insert reason here).
These were all of the responses I gave to my daughter’s persistent question, “Mom, can you play house with me?,” before I gave an exasperated “OK.”
Her eyes lit up. “Good! I made you lunch in the toy room, come see!” I trudged up the stairs, annoyed that the baby wasn’t napping, exhausted from being up with the baby three times the …
I thought I had done a good job of prepping my preschooler for what she might see Halloween night. Ghosts, werewolves, witches, other blood-dripping beings. We’d read books (Happy Halloween Little Critter), and she’s particularly fascinated with Monsters vs. Aliens, so I didn’t think much would phase her. She is only three, but she’s a smart cookie. I explained that these things weren’t real, and that there were just normal kids underneath those costumes. I was more worried about my toddler. She developed a fear of jack-o-lanterns about a week ago, and what do you know, that’s what she was dressed as. I was waiting for her to look down, or see a mirror, and freak out.
This is a great book for prepping little trick-or-treaters, except it doesn’t include the super-scary Scream mask. …
As mothers, we’ve all been here. But what we wouldn’t give to be here again if we should ever lose our child. (image from: amanbirthservices.com)
It’s 3 a.m. Do you know where your children are? Mine are upstairs in their bedrooms. One sleeping soundly. The other in the throes of a full-blown tantrum, beside herself that I’ve finally stopped giving her milk at night. It was a bad habit. One that needed to be broken. And as much as it breaks my heart, and hurts my ears, I am grateful. Each scream is a blessing. Each cry is reminder that she is here. She is alive.
Somewhere, not too far from here, in a linoleum-floored hospital room, a mother holds the hand of her young daughter. She is dying. Cancer has wrapped its treacherous tentacles around her …
“I apologize, but this just has to be said. “you suck!” can you tell I’m super jealous?!”
This was the comment from a dear friend on a Facebook status I posted this morning. Granted, my original status was a little Pollyannish, “Brr! Cuddling under a blanket and movies are on our agenda. Really loving my job today! ;-)”
You see, I feel like I’ve been complaining quite a bit lately about this SAHM gig. A preschooler who escapes from her carseat and sinks her teeth into your forearm while you’re driving down the road will do that to you. (This was after her cowgirl boots were chucked at my head.) It was a bad day. But they’re not all bad days. Like today, for example. I felt like I needed to share some of the good moments …