Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Parenting Pitfalls

It feels as if this past week or so I have lost any parenting skills that I think I may have had.
Tantrums....by all three of us.
Anger, frustration...are abundant here.
While tucking in W for his morning nap....yes we are back to morning naps since the boys are getting up at 530 again...& this afternoon kindergarten business is just wrong, wrong, wrong....I was reciting in my head over and over again, with gritted teeth, "I am peace and joy. I am peace and joy. I am peace and joy...." Hoping this mantra would take over and release the anger and frustration that is oozing from my pores.
All this anger certainly doesn't help the boys. Or my housekeeping skills.
Isn't it just sinful to wish the days of "to be seen and not heard" were real? That was a mantra when I was growing up....from both my father and my grouchy grandmother, Granny D.
Now, I know that generally speaking I have the sweetest, smartest little boys on the planet, but at the same time, their antics drive me bonkers. So, I freely admit that my frustration stems from within.
(As I vent here, one little boy has made his way to my bed for his morning nap after crying and crying in his own. So there are cute fluffy cheeks, and sad tear stained eyes laying on the pillow beside me.)
Okay, so I get that these feelings are my problems...not my childrens'. Now what do I do? How do I conquer this? Any suggestions, oh parenting gurus out there in cyber land?

4 comments:

  1. Nope, I tried, I am dry as a bone on helping advice today! Sorry! I will call you...

    Me

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  2. I'm not a parent, so this isn't really parenting advice....but have you ever read the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin? I would highly recommend it. She devotes a whole section to parenting in particular. The whole book is worth a read though.

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  3. I'd like to have some amazing "light bulb" advice - but I too am having a hard time not stomping down the hall and slamming my bedroom door to the boys' antics this week.....if that makes you feel any better.
    We all have those "how do I fix this" moments, but I often think that someday when they are grown I will look back on it all and wish they were here bickering, sassing, and whining.

    Hope your week gets better.

    Melinda

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  4. I don't know if it's more time indoors or less sunlight or what but we've all been cranky over here. I thought we were past some of this, but here it is again.
    Frustrating!

    My kids have mentioned the 'treat box' at school. They have to earn points through the week and then get to pick something (like an eraser or a fancy straw) SO I've been trying that this past week too. I know it's simple bribery, but it sure has got them motivated to help or cooperate at times when I may have lost my mind otherwise!

    I do it more on a daily basis. And my latest 'treat' was an art project. It requires a few steps so we're doing a little at a time. It has kept them interested so far. It's more fun than screaming.

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