Uber Biatch March 06 2007
Today has left me defeated. It has left me rattled and it has left my more than a little grouchy. In fact it has left me down right bitchy.
Noah has decided that he doesn’t have to listen anymore. He argues with everything and today actually said the words “I don’t have to listen to you, I can do anything I want”
Now my mother’s parenting skills would have meant a smack on the butt and an immediate trip to his room.
And while part of me wanted to head butt him and send him on his way. I didn’t. I didn’t even send him to his room (at first). I calmly told him that he did indeed have to listen and no he cannot do anything he wants.
And then he mocked me.
Mocked.
Me.
And finally after an entire day of having a 4 year old repeat everything I say and not do one thing I ask. And a walk home from school that included him screaming in my face when I reached the step before he did (i didn’t even know we were racing) I tossed him into his room and closed the door. I told him he could rejoin me when he was ready to listen and BE NICE.
30 seconds later he said he was ready to be nice.
AND I FELL FOR IT.
27 seconds later we were right back at it. He had dragged his desk across the livingroom floor so he could sit on the couch and play with plasticine while watching TV and sitting on the couch. And when I asked him to clean the room and put back his desk I got more mocking and rudeness.
And then I lost it.
I forgot that yelling at your children for yelling at you, is not productive. I forgot that mocking your children for mocking you is just plain stupid.
And then I stormed upstairs like a 3 yr old, slammed and locked the bathroom door. I turned on the fan and hoped and prayed that chris would be home from work before I filled up the bathtub enough to drown myself in.
But of course I wasn’t left alone long enough to even find the plug for the tub (it was on top of the medicine cabinet of course!Because during last night’s bath Noah did not want to listen to the NO STORMS rule and lost plugging rights) before Noah was knocking…and then pounding and then actually KICKING the door.
I mean. WHAT is HIS problem? Does he get too much positive attention? He’s decided that negative attention better suits his style? Seriously?
His teacher hasn’t noticed a difference in him at all. She says he’s still “charming” and “polite”.
ugh.
I mean look at this face.
No imagine it being the boss of you.
ALL.
DAY.
LONG.
i know that temperament all too well. and sadly, nothing worked for the elder one but a swat on the bottom, and even that didn’t faze him. my little one at least craves acceptance and isn’t nearly as intolerable and immovable. pretty much you did the right thing removing yourself from the situation. good luck!
Ah. Reading this brought a smile to my face. I know that all very well.
First, what the heck is plasticine? Some kind of explosive or something?
Second, did you feed the kid today? Because when my son gives me attitude? I point out that someone fed him today and MIGHT feed him tomorrow. Or not.
Attitude about doing whatever you want? Oh good. Then MOMMY can do whatever she wants. Or doesn’t want. Like cooking. Hungry yet? You will be. Do whatever you want, but it had better include earning money to buy your dinner because Mommy doesn’t want to share anymore.
Mocking Mommy? Wrong again. People who mock Mommy have ALL their toys in the trash can faster than you can say “shut your little mouth”. The trash man will love it.
Grrr.
OK. 4 year olds might need a little more slack than the 9 year olds.
Sounds like something else is bugging him, Pam. How much personal 1-on-1 time do you get to spend with him. I don’t mean watching TV or just being in the house, but time like talking or playing a board game or something that requires direct interaction. Sometimes when kids get squeezed out due to life getting in the way, they rebel and get angry.
Maybe trying playing with the plasticine (?) together for a bit. With the TV off.
Ok, that comment came out all wrong.
What I meant was that life gets busy and even the little ones, even though they are being entertained by toys and TV and stuff, really want special time with Mommy most of all.
Me, I liked Jon’s first comment, makes him sound mature and very, very wise!
damn kids and there damn…ness