Thursday, August 2, 2012

Grumpy pants

Everyone has one of "those" days. And yesterday was one of "those" days.

I was frustrated, I lost my cool, I actually felt - for the first time - embarrassment of my child. And while I'm sure every child acts this way at one point or another, I stupidly thought for a few moments in life that it wouldn't happen to us. Nope, my child will never act that way. You know, the way that kid acted in the grocery store and you look on in pure judgement and think, "I would never allow my child to act that way."

Photobucket

And then they do... at the pool... and that little devil on your shoulder is right there, reminding you of your judgement of that mother on that day at the grocery store. And you try to flick him off your shoulder, because you don't want to be reminded, but he stays there, whispering, "And now it's your kid."

Photobucket

And you look around the pool and all the other mothers are looking at you, judging you, and secretly thinking, "I'm so glad that is not my child."

Photobucket

Gratefully, one such mother turned to me, empathised, and reassured me that no one is judging; in fact, everyone is most likely remembering a time when their child acted that way.

Is it wrong to think, "I hope so"?

And then, when we got home from swimming lessons, I did it. And I am ashamed to admit that I did it.

I Googled...

Photobucket

Why I Googled this, I don't know. Perhaps I was hoping for some sort of easy remedy, or maybe I was hoping for reassurance that there are other mom's out there who have been, at one point or another, that parent at the pool.

My goal for this blog is to see the positive and beauty in every situation. I had to remind myself of that when she was clinging to my neck, yelling "no no no no no" and refusing to partake in any event in swimming lessons. When Aryn is being a grumpus, I have learned that it is hard to ignore my own frustrations and smile and hug her instead of getting frustrated or angry. It's my own battle, and it is a battle I must continue and better myself. She is a baby, and a baby that cannot (or won't?) speak to voice her frustrations. I am so, so grateful that she is here and my Little. The frustrating days remind me of how hard we tried to conceive her, and just how thankful I am that I have someone to be frustrated with.

Photobucket

*
Play dates are what keep me sane some days. I am grateful to be part of a group of women who nurture, strengthen, and make me a better mom every time we get together. And Aryn plays, smiles, and steals all the toys from every Little there.

Photobucket

Yesterday, after swim lessons, we hung out with my old college roommate, Meredith, and her Irish twins, Lorraine and Edmond. Aryn towers over Lorraine, and Lorraine surpasses Aryn with her gift of speech and sign language. They played, Aryn discovered the fine line of inappropriate amounts of hugging, and Edmond looked on with smiles and wonder.

Photobucket

Fun play dates end with late naps, grumpy Littles, and exhausted mommies. But they are so, so worth it.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

It's time to relax on the couch with my husband, and talk about our days. Until tomorrow, when a (hopefully!) happy little girl wakes us up with smiles and hugs. Even if it is 6:30am.

Photobucket

7 comments:

  1. We all have days like that. I am not looking forward to the day when I will be "that mom" but I know it will come

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've SO been there. It actually happened more when she was littler, the meltdowns in the checkout line at the grocery store. I'd be a sweaty mess by the time we got out to the car and just plain exhausted. thankfully, most of M's 2yo tantrums happen at home, but I know they're there, looming on the horizon. She'll stick it to me in public sometime soon, and I'll be that red-faced sweaty, embarrassed mom all over again. HUGS.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If we haven't all been there yet, we will be. We have an odd amount of rules and expectations that we place on each other and ourselves, and -thankfully- we have tiny little ones to remind us how silly they are, and to be as humble as possible. We had a moment similar last weekend while grocery shopping, except she was not upset or frustrated, she was delighted. Which made her shriek at the top of her little lungs. with understanding of her feelings and undeveloped emotional coping strategies, it wasn't too big of a deal. It wasn't until the end when the taste tester lady huffed over and peeked around the corner and said 'Is that YOUR child?!' I said "it sure is!" with a shrug and a grin and watched her huff away mumbling. Point is, we all need to remember to be empathetic to each other, because we ALL forget at times, in moments when its not OUR child exploring an emotion or feeling. You are not alone, friend. That mother had sound advice. and even if they are not thinking to you in empathy, focus on the thought that there is at least one person who is! {hugs}

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am ALWAYS that mom :)....like on a daily basis...Aryn sounds delightful, and strong willed. Oh and i wish someone would have told me this on a daily basis - it gets better, "I love you so much it makes me cry" better.
    When all else fails listen to the Darius Rucker song "Your gonna miss this" - I still cry when I hear it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yup, I've been that mom too...thankfully there are smiles and hugs to make it all better!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can not even count the number of times I told Luba " If we didn't have to eat tonight I would leave these grocery's here right now!" I've ran after her with Mr. Lexx latched onto me through ALL of the major stores in town. If this was the first time you've been embarrassed by your wonderful Little, congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love all these replies!! You are all amazing!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments!