My Kids Rock

My kids are so great.

Yeah, lots of parents say this, and maybe I'm a little biased, and braggy moms are annoying.  But, jeepers creepers, mine are fabulous.

The boys and I went to a Superbowl get-together yesterday, and they were awesome.  They had a great time with the other little boy who was there.  They shared.  They played nicely.  They did not distract the adults from their conversations.  They entertained themselves.  Occasionally they came to me with some small crisis ("He's taking all the trains!"), but when I asked them to please work it out, they did.  Sparkle set a good example for the littler boys. 

I was so proud. 

Don't you know a few families that you would really rather not ever have over to your house, because their kids are unpleasant?  I do not think we are one of those families, and I'm so glad.  Small victories, maybe. ("Hey, we're not terrible!") 

I know that good behavior should be the default expectation.  And I know that bad days happen and they are still little ones.

But still, I was proud.  They made me feel like a good mom.  I know it's mostly that they are good kids, and we are a good team.  I can't take all the credit, but it was nice.

Then I yelled at them this morning.

Maybe not really yelled, but I definitely was not completely gentle and kind with them. 

You know Beloved is out of town, so I'm doing all the morning prep, getting the boys to school and then rushing too work.  (I take an hour off every AM and an hour off every PM when Beloved is gone, just to keep our schedule mostly on track, but still, it's just a bit of extra crazy in the morning when Beloved is gone.)  When we had 12 minutes before we had to be out the door, I was still wearing my pajama pants and none of us had brushed our teeth.  As I was trying to get dressed, both of them came running and crying to the bathroom door.  One was hurt ("I'm wounded!" he said), and the other was afraid he was going to be in trouble.  Meanwhile we were down to 11 minutes.  And I interrupted them and almost-yelled, "I can't deal with this right now!  I have to get dressed, BY MYSELF!"  And I closed the door.  And they both were devastated and crushed and horrified by the rejection.  Ack.  I was mad at them and mad at myself and mad at Beloved (for leaving me to deal with this, you know).  After about 20 seconds I opened the door and there were hugs and forgiveness all around.

We did manage to get to school on time, and it happened that they were coming out to the gymnastics bus as I was starting the car to leave.  They didn't know I was watching them.  Sparkle and Pumpkin were near each other in line, and Pumpkin got a little confused about where he was supposed to be going.  Sparkle was totally watching out for him, and ran back a few steps to Pumpkin, and put his arm around Pumpkin's shoulder and showed him where to go. 

Then on the way home at the end of the day, they were totally singing their hearts out and dancing in their car seats to a silly Hippopotamus Rock song.

They just melt my heart with their joy, and their kindness, and their soft, sweet, strong spirits.

   

Comments

[klorentzon]

Awww...thanks for sharing! I look forward to those "ups and downs but nearly always ups" of parenthood!

And I love the photo! Could I use it on our "Adopting from South Africa" site? Or some other photo if you would prefer? I love that picture!

[habesha child]

OMG, your kids can come over to my house ANY TIME!! Seriously, they sound dreamy.

[Angie]

I have been there. It's hard when my husband has an early morning meeting or has to go out of town. Just knowing I am not the only adult in the house helps to relieve stress somehow. That's awesome that you spyed your boys taking care of eachother like that- that's what it's all about!

[Laundry & Children]

This is a great post. The ups and downs of parenting and how it all just keeps on going no matter what our schedules are. It's the little moments that matter most.

[Leigh]

I think this is normal. Mornings are the worst, there is always that pressure to get out of the house on time, and with kids, they just don't understand the concept of having to be somewhere on time.

The beautiful thing about kids though is they are forgiving, we've all had moments like this and after we apologize everything is okay..

[Leigh]

Oh - I meant to comment on that picture, its great, shows pure love.

[Heidi-happy mom]

I love that sweet picture and story, life gets crazy, and admire you. I am not pleasant when we have to get out the door, and I regret it and I hate regrets! thanks for reminding me to be a better parent.

[Erin O']

Love the photo, and the story. I am often unpleasant when my dh is out of town, much more unpleasant than you sound!

Glad Beloved is back, and your house looks cozy!