Okay - I TRY very hard NOT to yell at my kids...as I don't want them to yell at me...
My best friend is flying in town today and I'm TRYING to get the house picked up after four boys have been playing in and out of it....my oldest son goes to make Kool-Aid (lemonade) and it tastes HORRIBLE!!! The TV was on while he was doing it and only put in 1/2 cup of sugar instead of 2 cupls (we make a gallon)...
I came unglued...not like me over something soooo small....I need to apologize but man - not used to doing that at ALL!! URGH!!!
Have you lost it before over something SOOOOO small?!
I apologized to Greg for my bad behavior...it was a funky because just after I apologized to him, hugged him and told him I TOTALLY over reacted and should NOT have yelled...he goes back to playing with his brother then KICKED HIM IN THE KIDNEY!! URGH!!!!
I too am loud....surprised?! So when I yell - everyone notices... :)
You are stressed. Try not to focus on the house being perfect and focus more on the fun everyone will have. Apologize, kiss, hug and move on!
Yes. So apologize. That was definitely overreacting.
It's been proven to be GOOD to blow up at your kids once in a while! Reminds them that you're human too ;)
Apologize, but remind him that your nerves are shot and you would appreciate it if he respected that and gave you a hand (or not; whichever is more helpful)
4 hours 4 minutes until cocktail hour ;)
I certainly come unglued at times. I try so hard not to but a point comes..........I guess it teaches our kids to know that we are not perfect and we must sometimes apologize as well!
Cheryl,
Yeah I've done it too- lost my temper over something small. We're human! You're stressed. Tell your son that you were stressed and didn't mean to yell at him like that and move on. I love Amy J's answer- making it into a joke.
Anyway, don't worry about it anymore. Enjoy your friend's visit and don't stress about the house so much. My best friend has seen my house in all sorts of states. She understands-and I only have 1 kid. I can't imagine 4 boys! Good luck and I hope you have a great visit!
Just this AM. Poor dear. Gave a big hug, apologized. I HATE it when I yell.
I try to remind myself that I DO yell infrequently, that I always apologize, and I NEVER hit or belittle. I'm doing the best I can, and I make sure she knows she's loved, so an occasional "lost it" moment just reminds all of us that mommy is human too.
When my older two were younger I took a supervisor position. Lord talk about babysitting...I digress. One of my employees called me at home to say she wasn't coming in knowing we were already short.
To this day neither Tommy or I could tell you what he asked me but I just blew up. Then a minute later I said I am sorry, that was not directed at you, so and so called in and I was just stressed. I quit two weeks later.
No O. is SuperMom. She's a myth. Cut yourself a break.
I needed to read this and the responses.....Thanks....I had a "Bad Mommy" moment earlier today when my daughter refused to listen and woke her father up after he had only had 3 hours sleep due to his work schedule........I completely lost it on her.......I have been feeling so awful since....I apologized and we had some cuddle time and a chat about making better choices and listening to Mommy........even so I HATE when I go off like that on her.......Thanks again....I feel better to know I'm not alone! :)
Bear in mind that kids receive very few apologies from adults, so not only is it gratifying, but they get to see how a good, authentic, humble apology looks and feels. What a wonderful opportunity for adult role-modeling! Make the most of it!
(By the way, they already suspect that you are not perfect, so you won't blow any illusions here.)
Hi Cheryl,
Absolutely!! I think ALL moms have been there!!!
I am loud by nature and growing up in a household of people who got intense and raised their voices ALL THE TIME, I am doomed - I still feel like I cannot get my point across unless I am loud about it...
Anyway, I have been practicing my reactions to things...before I verbally respond, I take a deep breath and count to 5. My thoughts may be loud, but I take those five seconds to lighten up - look at the big picture...most things that we initially react to with a freak out, are things we can laugh about a bit later.
Don't beat yourself up. Apologize, or talk to your son about your reaction, or whatever makes you feel better, then move on. Dwelling on it is not good for either person involved. You are human - and 4 boys??? You deserve a medal!! :)
L.
hmmmmmmm. You shouldn't feel bad to apologize. I always feel better when I do if I really acted wrongly. Also, this my not be taken well, but if you don't ALWAYS apologize, especially when you usually don't yell, it's not the end of the world. As humans, my parents blew up from time to time and didn't always apologize, sometimes they did, sometimes not, and I wasn't scarred for life. People get frustrated, don't worry! (but so far I've always apologized because I don't mind and it's rare :)
Maybe a joke is in order...."Sorry, I didn't mean to yell, but that's the worst lemonade on earth- you tried to poison our guest!" You guys could nickname it "TV lemonade" and use it as a threat that you'll have Jr make everyone drink his famous "TV lemonade" if they don't watch out....
Yes, and 99% of the time, it's when we're expecting company and I want the house to look perfect :)
I totally get it- I have 4 too, and I'm always afraid of what someone with only 1 or 2 kids will think if it's messy.
Don't beat yourself up over it, I'm sure they've already forgiven you =o)
