It had been a long day and we'd had fun. We got back from the park, just me and the kids, and decided to bake a batch of cookies before supper. I don't know what I was thinking . . . I never tried this with my three kids, why did I think I could do this now?The cookies made it in and out of the oven, that was not the problem. It happened after that . . . possibly a result of too much cookie dough. Suddenly there was chasing and falling and crying and whining. I didn't know what hit me.
The straw that broke the camel's back was when the two oldest began fighting about a stool. They both wanted to sit on a specific stool at supper. This stool was no different than the other . . . the same as the one beside it . . . but they did not care. They just wanted the same one. That's when I lost it . . . and I yelled very loudly! Trying to do something right at the moment, I went and put the youngest in her pack and play, hoping she could sort out her own crying problems and when I came back to the kitchen, Tehya was crying.
I felt awful . . . knowing this would be one memory they would have for a lifetime. I apologized. I said, "I'm sorry I lost my temper. I just cannot handle this fighting and crying." That is when Tehya, quite professionally - mind you, blurted out, "Well, Grammy, we did not know you had this problem!"
So . . . now you all know.
Somehow, finding myself in an empty nest, I had lulled myself into believing that I had become more patient. I guess I was wrong. Can I hope that, now that they know, they will not test me in this any more?
17 comments:
I just laughed out loud at this, because I can SO relate - it's happened to me too, probably 2 or 3 times, so, no, I don't think you will be able to avoid this situation ever happening again. The good news is that it means you are spending ALOT of time with them, and that's ALWAYS a good thing! Grandkids are very forgiving of their grandparents, just as the reverse is true!
I totally laughed out loud too!! I laughed because of what Tehya said, AND I laughed because I was relieved to know that someone whom I admire yells sometimes too! :-)
Thank you for being real and letting us see this too. Sometimes when I read blogs from (older than me) women, I feel like I am doing it all wrong and that I'm not cut out to be a mom (I have 3 small kids). Your post made me feel like I'm not alone, and that this happens to the best of them!! Hope you have a wonderful day.
Yes, thank you for being real! We all have moments that we are not proud of, because after all, we are human and not perfect. Looking on the positive side, the kids learned an important lesson about apologizing, forgiving and unconditional love : ) And I learned that my empty nest patience is probably an illusion so I will be on guard as the grandkids come along!
Oh Tehya...too funny. :)
Out of the mouths of babes...
yes, thank you for this confession. makes me not feel so bad as a newer mom to hear that a seasoned mom can lose it too :)
very cute words coming out of Tehya's mouth ;)
I'm afraid you and the rest of us will be tested again and again :0)
I did smile at Tehya's statement. and boy do I understand Anneliese...
LOL - I'm in the empty nest (well almost) and yes, I've been thinking I was more patient than I used to be. Guess I just need to borrow a few grandchildren to deflate that ego bubble! You're an encourager Anneliese!
I love this post. It seriously is a relief to know that I am not the only one! There is nothing like kids to make me aware of my sin nature. I was just saying to a girlfriend recently that marriage is a mirror that shows up all my faults and kids are a magnifying glass!
Welcome to the club! Appreciate your genuine openness! I agree with the previous comments!
Your honesty is freshing....and I'm sure we will find ourselves having to say we are sorry now and again for being short....it humbles us and it also teaches others to forgive as well as keep short accounts. Teyha had me laughing too! It's always ggod to know we are not alone. Smiles! Kathy (MGCC)
Anneliese - this may be my favorite post of yours. It was what I needed today. thanks for letting this young mom see into that moment. Thanks for being real.
And - as usual - it was so well written I felt like I was actually there!
ps. my word verification is "menite" like someone got lazy spelling mennonite!
great post! thank you for your honesty. :)
ps: my word verification is "lavelec" - almost, kind of, a little bit, like Lovella.
Now that is a funny story! Our grandson loves "Thomas" the train.If you've watched it, you know how the narrator talks and the expressions he uses. One day last week, his mom had had enough..."Go outside with your dad!" she said sternly. When he got to his dad, he said "Mommy made me come outside. She's cross!" Kids...full of surprises!
I'm laughing! You know, my parents never yelled, and as a grown up I had the most difficult time with people who expressed their anger. I sort of wished I had had more opportunity to learn that an angry outburst was not the end of the world, and that just because someone is angry it is not necessarily because of anything I did!
aww, thanks for the laugh. you should send that blurb into readers digest!!!
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