today was not a good day. when coming home from work I always read the teacher's comments in my son's ( 5 years old) notebook. She always lets me know what he did for the day and what the activities were. Today she wrote that he was mouthy and talking back all day. She said that she would ask him not to say anything else and he would then mumble something real low. We talked about it and he said that he would apologize. I go upstairs and take off my work clothes and change into some comfortable like i do everyday after work. Then I hear someone playing on my doorbell and i look out the window and see both of my sons outside. They are not suppose to be outside and they never have before took it upon themselves to go outside. Besides i was sure i looked the door. I scold them about being outside without me or daddy because they know better. Then a few minutes later a neighbor from down the street is banging on my door and he tells me that my kids were playing in the street. He told me that he pulled my 3 year old out the street 3 times. He did tell me that he thought it was unusual because he knows my husband and I don't let our kids play outside alone. Now, I'm feeling sick to my stomach because if something would have happened to them I would not have even known because i did not know they were outside. I guess I'm going to have to lock us in from the inside from now on!
then we get over that incident somewhat and someone overflows the upstairs bathroom sink. Now i have 3 pots in my living room collecting the water soaking through the ceiling.
They were both put to be early and now I'm mentally exhausted.Why did someone not tell me being a working mom would be so draining!
thanks for listening.
Thanks for your response. I think more dicipline is in order. I try to keep them busy up into bedtime most evenings with coloring, storytime or computer games etc.. The moment I slack up on that stuff they get active with each other. I was so glad my baby was not hurt. I blamed myself more than him. This could be part of the problem. I was firm with him and told him what could happen to him running in the street. That neighbor knows how thankful I am!
Put latches HIGH up on the door.... like 6 feet up, so they can't reach them.
I feel for you.... its so hard....
AAAHHHHGGGGHHHHH!
You have had a rough day! Aren't children fun sometimes? When my daughter was little. she would run away and hide! I have quite a few gray hairs!
There are covers that you can put over doorknobs that slide when you turn them, they wont be able to get out the door then! Otherwise, sliding locks at the top of the doors if you dont have round knobs.
Put 'em to bed early tonight and kick back and sip on a chamomile tea...
I'm with Gibby. We have all had days something like that... (awful just getting worse by the hour...)... now that they are in bed... (might want to double check that they stayed put! lol)... pour yourself a nice glass of red and put your feet up for awhile. Tomorrow is another day.
:)
we need our title changed from MOM to EXHAUSTED! get a couple of locks on the door that the kids cant reach, and have a glass of wine your day is over enjoy..
Yes, that is a bad day. But could have been worse. Did you kiss your neighbor when he returned your 3 year old, he deserved it and hubby shouldn't mind. Take a picture of the drips and pots for the scrapbook, and put an electronic reminder in your calendar to send them a bill on 5/26/23. Good night!
BIG HUGS M.!!!!!
Don't be embarrassed having your neighbor coming over. Thank him when you see him and let him know how rough today was. It's a good thing he was there.
This will become "one if those days".
I hope you got a good night's sleep! I realize that you did not ask for advice, but I would like to share with you that because my children are small and I, too, worried that they would make an escape (and they actually have), I put chain locks on my doors and even on the basement and pantry to keep them out. They are inexpensive and a HUGE peace of mind. Just a thought. Hope today is better.
I'm sorry to hear that your day was so rough. I am also a working mom but with just one 12 year old. Since he is coming out of foster care and has a lot of emotional stuff, it's like having an exceptionally active 7 or 8 year old. Yesterday I was totally drained, too, and have not recovered this morning. Hope that today is a better day for you.
Does sound like a rough day. More times than not, kids just outlast us, wearing us down by things like this.
First of all, let go of the guilt. When you a working wife, mother and employee, you feel like a failure at all of them at times. But beating yourself up over it won't help.
Secondly, set the rules as well as the consequences for breaking them and allow them to speak for themselves. This means you have to be consistent, but it removes the emotional pulls when your boys violate them. The punishment is already set and you aren't they bad guy.
Thirdly, reward them when they do what you want. Instead of harping more on what you don't want, make it clear what you do want and reward them for that. Test them by having them stay in the living room while you go upstairs to change, but then watch and see what they do when they think you are gone. Make a game of it. Threaten to change in front of them. Buy something from the ice cream truck if they surprise you by doing what you want.
Spend one on one time with them as much as possible, and you will feel like a much better mother. You are a great mother, because you care.
It's so hard when they are young, but it is all so temporary. My son seemed to argue with everything I said, and it tore me apart at the time. But he got it, and is now 23 and an amazing young man.
Hope this helps. I am new to the Detroit area as well. Nice to meet you.
Updated
Does sound like a rough day. More times than not, kids just outlast us, wearing us down by things like this.
First of all, let go of the guilt. When you a working wife, mother and employee, you feel like a failure at all of them at times. But beating yourself up over it won't help.
Secondly, set the rules as well as the consequences for breaking them and allow them to speak for themselves. This means you have to be consistent, but it removes the emotional pulls when your boys violate them. The punishment is already set and you aren't they bad guy.
Thirdly, reward them when they do what you want. Instead of harping more on what you don't want, make it clear what you do want and reward them for that. Test them by having them stay in the living room while you go upstairs to change, but then watch and see what they do when they think you are gone. Make a game of it. Threaten to change in front of them. Buy something from the ice cream truck if they surprise you by doing what you want.
Spend one on one time with them as much as possible, and you will feel like a much better mother. You are a great mother, because you care.
It's so hard when they are young, but it is all so temporary. My son seemed to argue with everything I said, and it tore me apart at the time. But he got it, and is now 23 and an amazing young man.
Hope this helps. I am new to the Detroit area as well. Nice to meet you.
We ALL have days like this, thank the Lord it doesn't happen every day! Sorry sometimes kids just are needy and want more attention, so they do lots of naughty things to get it. Anyway you can work in some special one on one time with each of them, doing something THEY choose? It helps to feel special, and then they want to please. This isn't magic, but does help. And it helps you build some happy memories to look back on. :)
Someday....a long time from now...you will look back and laugh. Just take comfort that they are healthy. I praise you for working and raising your children. Parenting in itself is the toughest job in the world!
