Mission Control, Mom Has a Problem



So I'm a control freak. You might not know it by my messy car and easy going attitude with friends, family, and the random stinky public at large. But I am. Why? Because it's my dirty car. It's my funny joke lobbied just at the right time at a tense P.T.A. meeting. It's my decision that day to give, or not give, a quarter to the fat bum on the freeway offramp with the sign, "Will work for A Starbuck's Nonfat Half Cap Cappucino."

Newsflash: With children, they don't do what you want all the time. Hence the fact that I have no control. Hence the other fact that this lack of control gets me really ticked off. Hence thirdly I'm ticked that I can't control my internal anger (and occasional outbursts) at not being able to control my kids.

I mean, really, I've got to let it go sometimes. Does Stink need to go to bed when I say? Yes. But in the morning, when I ask him to put on his socks, and he spends 5 minutes bunny hopping down the stairs with both feet in one socks squealing, "Mommy, I'm a little lost rabbit who can't find my second sock"... well... that I have to chuck up to "He's got a good sense of humor."

But sadly, I don't. And whose fault is that? Certainly not his. I am the one who is forever running behind because I have "one more email" or "one more blog post to publish." 

I am the one who is frustrated that Rex is still in Germany due to that volcano DIE VOLCANO DIE!

I am the one who has unrealistic expectations of what seven year olds are capable of and what they are not.

'm going to talk this week about strategies for discipline. For those of you who have read some great parenting books on the subject, I'd love it.

For those of you who pray, I'm asking for patience.

For those of you without kids or who have survived this insanely frustrating period, a hearty congratulations go out to you. Have some wine on me. But if you're going to drive, like my flaw, CONTROL YOURSELF.

* Pic of my son making "butt prints" from a puddle. During free time in summer? Awesome. When I want to go to Trader Jo's and my house smells like fish oil? Not so much.
Picture
 


Comments

Brooke G

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:16:31

I love the butt prints - that is such a classic BOY thing to do. I will pass along my tidbit and then feel free to double back with me if someone gives you the magic answer - lord KNOWS I could use some help this week. It has been a week. Yeah, it is only Tuesday (does that tell you anything about what kind of week we have had???) In an act of desperation, I dug up a book that my sister handed down to me - DON'T SHOOT THE DOG (Child could fit there too - j/k!) Anyway, it was written by someone who trained dolphins and applies these training techniques to teaching others in life - kids/spouses/co-workers/etc. I haven't gotten far - but it does seem helpful. HANG IN THERE!!!!!

 

Stacey

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:55:01

The butt prints are pretty cute. Just be happy you have sidewalks where you live. When we have butt prints around here, it usually means they got out of the pool, sat their wet butts in the dirt and then came inside to leave brown muddy butt-fossils on my couch. Not so cute.

One parenting book that the hubby and I have really liked is called Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Ted Tripp. It really doesn't get into much parenting technique, but it does a great job of outlining a parenting philosophy that focuses on the heart, not just the behavior, since the heart is the root of all behavior, good, bad or ugly. The original, out of print version is the best, in my opinion. I think you can pick up a copy at Amazon for around $10. So that's my 2 cents. Good luck to you!

 

Just Jiff

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:01:54

Wow. I can understand your frustration...and felt badly for you and then I had to laugh at the butt prints photo. Sorry, but it was funny.

I have made myself stop and laugh more often and it has helped. I don't read parenting books because I feel like most of the "experts" are just spouting crap they think sounds good but is totally unrealistic. Every kid is different and the same thing doesn't work for everyone. Plus, if you could take a peek into their private lives, you would see they have NO control over their kids either.

But that's just me ranting. lol.

*HUGS*

 



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