I know all moms have days that just do them in. But last week, Spring Break, was a week that I gladly will file away and say goodbye to, as it was the most trying time I've had thus far of being a mom. It topped all those sleepless nights I had when Audrey was just a toddler and Jack a newborn. And don't you just love when people say to you, "Enjoy these days, they are the best", when you've had a terrible day? That's the worst thing to say to someone, and I'm going to remember that when I'm a grandmother and am wishing I could have these days back!
Sometimes your kids try your patience, they think they have the power in the household, and they think they are in control and you are not the boss. The other night, after a terrible ordeal with Audrey, I had to get down on my knees, after going to the bathroom, and locking the door, to ask God to please grant me the patience to be a good mom without losing it. And you know what, about 2 minutes later, my prayer was answered. Audrey went to sleep, Jack quit yelling at Audrey for being too loud, and the house was finally quiet. Six year-old girls, well at least mine, think they are 13, and start mouthing off..."I hate you, you are so mean, I don't like you, you are not a good mom" are just a few of the things Audrey said to me the past several days. Spankings don't phase her, so don't even suggest that all she needs is a good whooping. I tell you, it does not work. I checked out a book from the library yesterday called "How to Make Your Child Mind Without Losing Yours." It has Biblical points in it, and seems to be pretty practical. I am about to lose my mind, so I thought it would be worth a try.
Saturday night Jack would not stop fussing. Come to find out, he was getting a terrible cold and wasn't feeling well. But, is not feeling well such a good excuse for crying over not getting as many Easter eggs as your cousin and sister? Shouldn't kids learn to behave even when they feel bad? That may sound mean, but Audrey had already tried my nerves last week and into the weekend that I wasn't ready for Jack to start in, too. Sunday morning, getting ready for church, Audrey has a fit and does not want to wear her Easter dress. She wants to wear the new dress Mamaw gave her last week. I refused to let her, because this was not the Easter dress we had already picked out. I was supposed to be at church early to help with nursery sign-in, but was basically 20 minutes late from dealing with her. We went and ate some leftover Easter dinner from the night before at Tony's parents after church, and came home. Audrey acted out all day long. I told Tony I just didn't know what to do anymore, and he doesn't know, either.
So, anyway, I took away dance class from her Monday night. This absolutely killed her. She loves her new dance class and I knew this would hurt her and make her think about her actions. Last night, I made a fairly extensive chores chart for both her and Jack to follow, and today I told them they were now going to help our house and family run smoother by doing the chores, that this was their responsibility and I expect them to do what they are told without complaining or whining. Yes, I should have done this a long time ago, but I just didn't, other than the typical keep your toys put away, put clothes in the hamper, that kind of thing. So, today Audrey helped fold clothes, dust, put away clothes, made her bed, and clean off the dinner table. Jack unloaded the silverware out of the dishwasher, dusted the baseboards in the hall and living room, and put away his clothes. I have to be a mom that teaches them discipline in a loving way, so they know to be respectful. I think kids do desire structure and discipline.
Luckily, Audrey and Jack both do great in school and never get into trouble. I hope that this is just a phase for Audrey, trying to see how far she can push me. This has only been going on the last week or so. I thought maybe she was bored, and even felt guilty for us not really doing much of anything last week, like go on a trip like many families were. But we got to go to Rupp Arena last Tuesday and the zoo on Friday. And out to eat a couple of times. So, who knows? So, I will see if these new tactics of mine start working. Today was a good day, the best we have had in the last several days, so we'll see. I definitely know things can be so much worse. I am so thankful for my kids and their health. Being a mom is the best thing I've ever accomplished, don't get me wrong. I'm just being real. Sometimes we read on the surface on Facebook about how wonderful someone's kids are, how perfect a family is, and we may judge our own selves and family against others. This is not fair, and we shouldn't compare. No family is perfect, no child is perfect. I love my kids more than anything in this entire world. Parenting is hard. I knew it would be. Mama told me there'd be days like this, right? Audrey is so good in so many other ways, I think she's just having a bad week. She makes me laugh so much, is so beautiful and I know we are always going to be close. And Jack, he makes my heart smile just looking at him. That boy knows how to get to me, but he is so sweet! I love them, love them, love them. Sometimes, I just need to vent.....Enjoy some pictures from last week.
