Time and experience, both in New York and as a mother, have helped to thicken my skin, at least a little. But there are still times when I am completely humiliated by the things my children do in public.
Take yesterday morning, for example, when Caleb spent about an hour throwing one monstrous tantrum after another. First I didn't let him completely disassemble the small flashlight I dug out of my purse to distract him while I was in a meeting at Garrett's school. And then there was when he angrily hit me (several times) in front of Garrett's teachers after I told him to stop pushing Garrett's classmates. Oh, and then at the library book drop when a kind stranger tried to hand him back his dolly after he almost left it behind and he yanked it out of her hand right before he chucked it at her. And then when he screamed -- blood-curdling, blue-in-the-face screams -- on the entire (and very public) trip home, which included both a ride on the subway and a several block walk. I think it goes without saying that it was naptime -- for both of us -- as soon as we got home.
But the embarrassment did not end there. In the afternoon, after finishing a quick errand to the drugstore, we were headed home when I noticed that Garrett was suspiciously hiding something behind his back. It took a while for him to reveal what it was, and when he finally did, lo and behold, it was candy he had sneaked out of the store. Extreme disappointment only begins the string of emotions that instantly boiled within me. I marched him right back to the store to give back what he stole and apologize for taking it. He did, blubbering through his tears, of course. And he wailed -- loudly -- the rest of the way home.
Meanwhile, while waiting for our light to cross the street, Caleb grew interested in a street corner emergency call box. A gentle and ancient lady approached him in her walker and sweetly asked him if he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up. Caleb, thanks in part to the mood he'd been in all day as well as a severe lack of personable social skills, stomped and angrily screamed back at her, "NOOOOOOO!!!"
Oh, the humiliation!
I really am doing my best to raise decent, well-behaved children, but some days it's hard to tell.
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11 comments:
Sounds like a hard day. But I'm sure you're doing a great job. As much as we'd like to, we can't control kids all the time.
I'm right there with you sweetie! Eli's been acting out SO much lately and my patience and fortitude are NOT rejuvenated by sleep as they once used to be. Good luck! Love you all!
Been there.......and it's awful every single time.
Lindsay:
First off, you are a good mother. I've seen how patient you are with your boys. You do not let shenanigans happen. You are raising good, kind boys--I know I've seen them.
There were many playdates when my kids were younger (and some now) where I thought, "I am working so hard. Why do they have to be like that? What am I doing wrong." Then I would think about it more after the crushing feelings subsided and I could think straight I realized A)it was a phase--some of which seem incredibly long or B)they were hungry or tired or over-something-ed.
I really admire you and the ways you care for your children. :) Have a lovely day today!
Oh Lindsay! I'm sorry. At least you can count on some empathy here in the blogging world, because we've all been there. :D There will be days when other mothers look at your kids and wonder, "Why can't my kids be as well-behaved as Lindsay's?" You're a great mother! Hang in there.
I'm totally there with you right now! I think that Lydia has hit a mix of the "terrible two's" and she is starting to understand the changes that are about to happen in our home. Life just isn't so pleasant all the time and being 7 months pregnant is wearing us down more than usual. You are doing a great job! Give yourself a well deserved nap.
Oh, what a miserable day. Been there. Done that. (Sometimes am still there. Sometimes still do that.) But, on the bright side, they won't be this age forever, and eventually they will remember some of the things you have been so patiently teaching them. They are good, sweet boys. And you are a good, sweet mom. It's just that they forget how good and sweet they are without enough naptime. :) Hang in there!
It is always days like that that i wonder why I signed up for this calling in life. :)
And then I remember why.
You can do it Lindasy!
Oh, dear, it sounds like so many of my days as of late. Number Three is starting to hit the tantrum phase HARD and it's no fun.
I remember a year or so ago when Number Two stole something from the grocery store and I noticed it only when we were ensconced in the car. I marched her back into the store and she wailed the entire time. I can only imagine what it looked like to anyone in the parking lot. I think she truly thought they'd handcuff her once we got in the store, and I was so mad I wasn't about to dispel that misconception. She figured out soon enough they weren't, but I think I made a believer out of her (at least, I hope I did). But it was a hard lesson learned. Hoo boy.
Like so many have commented, I KNOW you're a good, kind mom who is working hard to raise well-behaved little boys. And they will be. Just hard to see that in those tough moments. ;)
Oh the joys of parenting. Anyone, with children, who tells you they have never had a day like that is lying. Hang in there. I think you are doing a wonderful job with your boys.
Um....this is hilarious!!!
It's so hard to tolerate those public outbursts! Sometimes I'm tempted to just leave my kid right there in the store!
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