If I were being graded on my current performance, this is the grade I think I'd earn.
Maybe it would be a little higher. Hunter's a pretty easy-going kid, except when he's sick, like today. But generally he's no problem.
Helena makes up for it! I'm sure that she'll be SO sorry when I tell her these stories in 20 years. My mother SWEARS that Andrea and I never had any strange childhood quirks (did she know I used to eat Colgate toothpaste?). Also, Helena's never been naughty at Ga-ga's. Big surprise. But here? It's like some days she LIVES to push all of my buttons. Frankly, there isn't enough medication on earth for me to deal with her at times. (But still, pass the Paxil! Better living through chemicals!)
I can be funny about it while I'm typing, but in the middle of dealing with her I am so, so frustrated and upset. I can't believe that a girl who is so smart and loving, and who can be so caring, sweet, helpful, etc., can become a 4-year-old equivalent of Dr. Jekkyl and Mr. Hyde.
My "inner voice" says I should ignore the current, most pressing problem with what I will call "toilet accidents." My True Self says I need to just relax with her and not make such a big deal over her craziness. But my Mom Who Is Trying To Function During the Bad Days says this has to stop before I stress-eat myself into oblivion.
Also, and I don't like to criticize here, but why was I sent a "high-maintenance" daughter? Will it always be like this?
In fairness I have to admit that I don't think she's ever really naughty for other people. Just Dan and I. But isn't that enough? Whatever I did to my parents is now coming back ten-fold.
"This too shall pass..."
Thursday, May 22, 2008
An "F" in Parenting
Posted by Beth Soelberg at 7:31 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
It will pass... but I understand your frustrations. Jack Jack hasn't been potty trained yet and I keep using the excuse that he doesn't understand, but that's not true anymore. The fear of the process holds me back, but now I'm down to the wire. We HAVE to start this thing now. I just know from the last 3 how I can totally loose it and get so mad at them when they have an accident- as if they do it on purpose and are out to get me. Not pretty parenting moments. Luckily we get through it, they don't remember the yelling, and everyone lives happily ever after. Well atleast in the toileting department.
My kids are also so good in public- they would NEVER want anyone to know how they really act at home! Sometimes I video tape the fighting and they are mortified that I might show it to someone and beg me to erase it.
I have to say that I think Helena was supposed to be mine. I mean I think I was the difficult one, not you. If you want to send her here for the summer just let me know. I will gladly take her. It will give me something to do besides deal with Aidan. I wonder if he is adjusting well. He has begun hitting me whenever he gets mad or frustrated or slightly unhappy.
Don't worry. I mean I grew up to be a functioning adult who uses the toilet. I know mom doesn't remember anything we did wrong, but ask Melody and Christina. They seem to remember me as having many bratty tendencies.
I say you shouldn't worry about it. She will be fine, but if you would like to try something I would suggest Celexa or Lexapro. Both have an antidepressant and antianxiety affect to them.
Ironically, my kids have me so exhausted right now that I don't even have the energy to post my thoughts on this subject. I'll have to come back. :)
I'm a solid "D" student when it comes to parenting! :)
I took the layed back approach to potty training and I never had frazzled nerves. I just decided that I had never met a teenager still in diapers, so whenever they were ready, then they would stop with the accidents. I just kept buying those expensive Pull-Ups. Eek. Luckily, the were all trained around 3 with Macie being the exception, but since she was a preemie, I don't count it as training late. To save my sanity, I just let it all fall in to place mostly on it's own and tried not to worry about it.
By the way, Ava was sick on Thursday too. 103 temp. I wonder if they both got too cold at the park last Wed?
Oh, I think we all feel overwhelmed with parenting sometimes. I know I do. Bria can be high maintenance sometimes, too, so I feel you. And I'm going to be attempting to potty train her here in the next few months...should be fun. ;)
Post a Comment