I'm just another working mom seeking a few moments of Zen and zinfandel between soccer practice and supper. My former beach bartender husband founded 
Since kindergarten started back up earlier this month (cue the gospel choir praise Jesus music), things have run fairly smoothly in the mornings. Lunches and snacks and coffee have been prepared at night. Clothes have been laid out. Alarm clocks have been set. No one has left the house wearing mismatched shoes or without a backpack and the dogs have been quite happy to be able to throw their morning martini parties while we’re away (Bailey is partial to Cosmos and Jack is a classic vodka martini kind of guy.)
The other day I was feeling pretty cocky about my mad household management skills. By 7:45 a.m. Miss C was on her way to school with our neighbor and her daughter, dinner was in the crockpot, dishes were put away, and Miss A was dressed from head to toe in princess pink. Feeling uber sure of myself, I gave in to Miss A’s request to play a game on the computer. Don’t ask. Let’s just say that for a 2 1/2-year-old she has some freakishly adept video game skills. I set her up on my laptop and proceeded to finish getting ready to go into the office for a few hours.
Then I told Miss A it was time to go to school.
Our normally cherubic and agreeable little girl turned into the spawn of Satan before my very eyes.
She wailed, she kicked, she threw a fit. She finally calmed down after I peeled her off of my laptop, literally kicking and screaming, and she perked up when the hubby offered to take her to school. I believe Fruit Rollups were used as a bargaining tool, because, of course, it is totally acceptable to sugar up your child and drop them off with their child care provider.
I huffed and puffed and basically told the hubby that I was an idiot for not turning on the television but then agreeing to let a 2-year-old play a Dora video game and expecting her to joyfully give that up. I mean who could blame her? I go back and forth between loving and hating television or any kind of electronic diversion for the girls early in the morning. I mean Dora makes an OK nanny, but when it’s time for her to go, there’s sometimes hell to pay.
It was the mental equivalent of me crossing my arms, pouting, stomping my feet, and yelling to the hubby, “I don’t wanna be the mommy this morning!”
I love being a parent, but I sometimes don’t love parenting.
Yet another post we can all relate to. Because it’s summer here, our kids don’t go back to school until 31 January!
I did enjoy your comment asking tongue-in-cheek whether I was blond or not (in relation to the Santa/ Santana post). I think you’ve been talking to my kids – they often ask if I’m wearing a blond wig!!
david mcmahon’s last blog post..Santa Pause
I hear you on the electronic stuff. I love the break it gives, but I hate the way they act after sitting in front of anything….zombiesh, whining, impatient. I always say I’m going to cut back, but until they can play outside again, I’ll probably allow a few too many movies.
Jenni’s last blog post..Scrolling Saturday- Modest New Mom, Oxymoron?
[...] bookmarks tagged mad Putting My Inner 2-Year-Old in Time Out saved by 3 others MisakiHiTashi bookmarked on 01/28/08 | [...]
My favourite quote this week.
“I would love to be friends with my kids…now is not the time” LOL. I love it.
Parenting is not always fun…Grandparenting is though from what I hear!
Kolleen’s last blog post..Missing Post…
Oh. . . so much to look forward to! Everyone says to enjoy the time before he (J) can talk. He’s only five months and right now his yelps, babbles, and screams are cute. I know that one day they will no longer be. Great post!
laskigal’s last blog post..Family Feuds and Daily Drama
so true, but I think a mommy deserves a tantrum every once in awhile.
HRH’s last blog post..Monday morning potluck…
I don’t wanna be a grown up today!! Where are my fruit roll ups? lol Sometimes I wish I could throw a tantrum, I know it wouldn’t fix anything but it sure would feel good
UncommonBlonde’s last blog post..It was a day to forget
Yeah. Usually it’s when you think you’ve got it all under control when the fit hits the shan. Life just LOVES to say, “Think again!”
Nice to read another girlie mommy.
Amy S.’s last blog post..Twittering? Really???
I feel your pain! The computer is pretty much off limits because it requires my constant supervision and they NEVER WANT TO STOP PLAYING.
DBN’s last blog post..Pat on the back
That sounds like the tantrum I have with my husband when he tries to wake me up in the mornings.
And that last line of yours? PERFECT DESCRIPTION.
Loralee’s last blog post..De Plane! De Plane!
[...] last sentence is the kicker, and oh so [...]
Oh, I hear you, Jamie! Our 13 YO is testing the very limits of my patience these days.
Bluegrass Mama’s last blog post..Pajama Day
I feel your pain! Between computer games and tv it’s a wonder I ever get my kids off to preschool in the mornings. But, without them, I don’t know how I would ever get my kids off to preschool in the mornings!
Beth_C’s last blog post..My daughter’s burgeoning sense of style!
I had to laugh so hard when I read this, because we’re starting to go through the same thing with our little one, who just turned two as well. She’s definitely a stubborn little thing.
I love your site – I’m a 3-year-old working mom of 3 girls…
Deb – Mom of 3 Girls’s last blog post..Giveaway Carnival Day #2 – Exercise videos
Ugh – meant to say ‘37-year-old’ not 3-year-old! Sigh…
Deb – Mom of 3 Girls’s last blog post..Giveaway Carnival Day #2 – Exercise videos
Ditto here. My daugher can sit at the computer for hours playing her My Little Pony game and Playhouse Disney and I will admit I love the break. But I feel guilty in the end. And I hate the fit she takes afterwards when I turn off the monitor.
Jacki’s last blog post..Mini-Vacation
Both my girls LOVE the video games on Nick Jr. I found some educational games (I should link to them) yesterday and Miss A played one while big sister did her homework at the table. But the early morning electronic crutch that I am guilty of using…UGH! Today Little Einsteins was on and Miss A had a fit when I turned it off. I’m finding that if we just avoid TV on weekday mornings it’s better for everyone. But dayum it’s hard to do that.
Jamie (Blonde Mom)’s last blog post..Putting My Inner 2-Year-Old in Time Out
p.s. Barbie.com is also a big one with my 5-year-old (as is the My Little Pony website)
Jamie (Blonde Mom)’s last blog post..Putting My Inner 2-Year-Old in Time Out
Your last line says it all. It’s not that parenting is outrageously difficult all the time it’s just that you have to do it ALL THE TIME and that’s difficult!
Don Mills Diva’s last blog post..Into the wild
We have such a problem with this as well. Sweet Pea goes through hysterics when I turn off Diego or Sesame Street. I have even just starting not letting him watch any tv on many days just to aviod the tantrum that follows.
lisel stone’s last blog post..You’re Too Pretty to be Smart
I’m so guilty of too much television/computer time. It’s sometimes the only way I can get anything done around here.
kailani’s last blog post..Do You Flush?
I can so relate to this. The devil comes out of my kids when they can’t finish a show, or if the TV has to go off. And I couldn’t have said it better myself. I love being a parent, but sometimes I hate parenting. I wish there was someone we could call for a sick day now & then, just to regroup!
Michelle’s last blog post..Pulling at your heartstrings
You write beautifully! It seems to just flow right out of you. I struggle with being descriptive yet real in my blog posting but I am still a newbie at this venture.
I would like to introduce myself. I am a new WAHM and am excited to begin networking with moms and grandmothers who are juggling the many roles they have in life just as I am.
I had a 15 year career as an accountant for a publicly traded company and I missed out on so many of the precious moments in the lives of my boys.
In August of
Oh this sounds so familiar… I remember those times with my kids when they were C’s age. Actually, there are still times like that now that they are older
We don’t watch TV but I did made those mistakes of letting them play in the computer before school so I can get ready for work. We had some huge fights to get him out. Unfortunately, hubby was already at work, so one rescue for me
This too shall pass…
Liza’s Eyeview’s last blog post..Snow On Haleakala Maui Jan 29 2008
I’ve got one of those inner two year-olds, too. Wnat to have a playdate?
And your household skilz ROCK - dinner in the crockpot BEFORE 8 AM???? I am so jealous!
Jen M’s last blog post..Like a Blow to the Head, Only Better
Honestly ya’ll it is a cold day in hell when I have dinner ready in the crockpot by 8 a.m. but I was on one of those “It’s a New Year, new me, I’m going to attempt to not be late to work per usual and have nothing planned for dinner and then ask the hubby to stop by the grocery at 6 p.m. after he’s been out all day working” kind of kicks.
But yeah I did actually have dinner in the crockpot, ready to go!
I don’t think it’s happened since.
Oh it’s hard to be blindsided like that. And when you’re feeling all perfect too! Nothing like kids to bring you right back down!
Amy’s last blog post..Gee Whiz, You Shouldn’t Have!
I gave you an award today!
Amy’s last blog post..Gee Whiz, You Shouldn’t Have!
I so relate to this. My girls especially my 5 year old is so hard to get ready in the am as it is let alone if the tv is on and if she were on the computer forget about it. Seems liks kids wait till we have no time to spare to throw their fits, why can’t they wait till we’re not on a time schedule…so annoying:)
Jennifer’s last blog post..Bloggy Giveaways Carnival
I hate morning t.v but it really keeps them out of my hair while I am doing my hair (haha) but getting them to do anything sucks.
I SO know what you mean!
Hugs,
Holly
That last line – yes, it just hits the spot.
youarekiddingme’s last blog post..Would You Like Some Cheese with that Bologna Beating?
oh yes, this has happened quite a few times here in our household.
Amanda’s last blog post..RS Designs