As the minutes ticked by, more kids arrived. It got to be too crowded for the girls to run up and down the steps.
The mother that was watching the other two girls told them to stop and they stopped immediately.
I told the Princess to stop too.
Of course, she kept on running up and down the steps anyway. I said, "That's one" after she went running up the steps. I said, "That's two", after she went running down the steps. I said, "Do you want to leave and go home?". She said no (so, I knew she could hear me).
Then, the little boy standing nearby honestly and bluntly said to his mom, "That girl isn't listening to her mommy."
Leave it to a child to say what the other moms probably were thinking. And how true it was. She went running up the steps one more time and gates opened, so I didn't get to follow through with my threat.
That's the story of my life these days. "She doesn't listen to her mommy." I've asked her countless times to stop jumping on the couch. I've asked her countless times to stop stepping on her toys. I've asked countless times for her to stop pulling her brother along by a limb. She just doesn't listen.
That's me in a nutshell...the ineffectual parent.
10 comments:
I read this right after I read your post - other people's kids don't listen either. Sometimes it's not the parents, it really IS the kids.
oh... I know this feeling... When I was little (and probably just couldn't hear my mother because she likely whispered (or something), she would follow with "hello wall" because she felt I was ignoring her...
Every time this happens in my house (only I am not whispering. I am speaking clear and consice) I think that, but refuse to say it. That would be cliche'.
Instead I typically go cry,and rock myself in the corner.
No one likes to be ignored, as you well know!
Don't get down.
I'm sure that other mom was floored that those two other rug rats listened so easily. It was probably the first time ever, but she'll never admit that.
Hopefully just a phase. Hang in there!
My soul sister! At last I have found you!
I think follow-thru and being consistent is waaaaayyy harder than I expected. I seriously doubt you're ineffectual, we can't be effectual ALL the time.
that you state this so very clearly, is proof that this is not really the story of your life.
perhaps it is truly just a present phase, which might coincide with the fact that there are other things that have been monopolizing your time.
i mean, who has all the time in the world to be always consistent and always following through?
we all know it is what we need to do
but lemme tell you sometimes it is so much easier to say:
yeah, oreos and ice cream make a good tv dinner
(story of my life)
thanks for the update on goldy.
Happens to the best of us. Most of the time when it happens even though it's very frustrating I figure other parents have been there too and hopefully aren't judging me too harshly and if they are well....
When I tell my kids to stop doing something, it is usually immediate. Sometimes they push me a little bit and I always follow through. (Okay, always is an exaggeration - when it's necessary or I'm not too lazy). You know what that makes me? The Tyrant. The Drill Sergant. The Mean Mom.
The grass isn't always greener on the other side...but wouldnt' it be nice if we could meet somewhere in the middle?
Can you imagine what I'll be going through once she hits puberty? Ugh. Sometimes I just wish I could quit my job and collect unemployment.
Oops, I forgot. I don't have that luxury.
Post a Comment