Come around 4 o'clock Monday through Thursday I loose all patience with my children. I have always admitted to not being perfect - but they will tell you during this time "mom is mean" or say to me "Why are you always yelling at us?" I have even gotten a couple, "You don't love us" remarks as well. *SIGH*MacKenzie and Lexi walk through the door about 3:30 from the bus and it isn't, "Hi mom we're home. What can we do to help" (With the baby screaming in the background). Instead it is usually, "Where is my snack?" and "Why are you letting her cry like that?" It is generally followed by tons of emotional outbursts of "she had more pretzels than me" or "why did she get that and not me", "I didn't want cheese-its, I wanted...", "Life isn't fair", "Why cant you get me food now", "She won't stop looking at me" and the list goes on. Unfortunately, I let these few comments crawl under my skin and it sets me off for the next couple of hours of my day. Patience has flown out the door!!
They have homework to get done, they want a snack, I am trying to get dinner ready and the Princess wakes and also needs to be fed. And when I say she wakes to be fed, you need to understand that she will be in a dead sleep and when she wakes it is screaming like the world is ending because she is "so hungry". The whirlwind of those two hours or so drain what little energy I have left in the day. Maybe I am dating myself, but it becomes one of those "Calgon take me away" moments.
Most often, I have to seclude myself to my room for a minute of either a quick cry or a pep talk to myself to have a brief refresh and then I can go face them again. More often than not, I find myself chanting "I am a patient and loving mother".
Does it work? My kids would tell you, "NO!" I am still working on it every day; still trying to find a routine and the timing of adding a new baby (who is already three weeks as of today - where has the time gone??), juggling long days when Josh can't come home straight from work due to other church or work responsibilities. Mostly trying to remember that they are all still adjusting to school and everything as well - it isn't just me adjusting in life.
For now the sign might be hung, but soon we will get this thing down and it will change to something else as a new stage of life starts.
4 comments:
Oh Trish - you are definitely NOT alone on this one! I only have 2 kiddos but agree that the hardest part of my entire day is from 4-6pm...the dinner rush, fatigue sets in, the whining starts, sibling rivalry escalates, patience wears out...UGH! Hang in there...it will get easier hopefully sooner than later. :)
This gives me a good idea of what to expect in another three weeks! I usually find myself chanting "I love my kids" over and over again. Thank you for keeping it real Trish. It's good to know there is a 4pm witch that comes out at other people's houses.
I could have written this post. I am the SAME EXACT way and so are my kids, right down to the comments, outbursts, and demands. I not only understand exactly what you are talking about, I am grateful you wrote it down. It's so nice not to feel alone :) VERY excited about Tuesday. Let me know if I need to bring anything!
I call it the "green eyed mommy monster" and with my kids all a bit older it is usually delayed until right before bed. They told me today that they don't like it when I'm tired because then I mutate into a grouch box. We all go thru it and some days are better than others. Keep trying, it does get better, I promise! Love ya and love the cute pictures.
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