Terrible Monday mornings
These damn mornings, and especially Mondays are always terrible!
I never seem to pull them off without losing patience and yelling at the kids.
The damn time factor. To have to be somewhere so early, when we're all so tired. It's hard!
Stressed, tired and late for work leads to no patience and a much less lovely and kind mom than I want to be.
I try, try, try to plan the mornings well, put clothes out the evening before, get up early enough to eat my breakfast before I get the kids up at 6 am and then be patient and kind to the kids as we get ready for pre school. To actually enjoy the very brief time we have together every morning. When so much has to get done. To set a nice tone for the day.
I always seem to fail. The result is that Freya gets sad, Denali mad, I get late and then sit with this horrible conscience all day and think about how much better my wonderful children deserve.
How can we make it smoothe, a team task, leave the house on time, make the bus?...
And how can I keep my patience as Freya refuses any reasonable options of clothing in the cold winter weather. When Denali refuses to wear mittens and wants to bring some toy to pre school that I know he'll misplace there.
I will try harder. They deserve better. Especially mornings like this when Denali isn't crying when I get him up.
No, he's jumping up and down in his crib singing "JAG ÄR EN PARTY-MYRA!" (i AM A PARTY ANT!) and laughing.
That should be the most awesome start of the day one can ever beg for.
I will try harder.
Tomorrow I will be better.
ok...first off you have to give yourself a break, it's not only about you, but two other strong willed little people who are acting on their own agenda..which isn't always pleasant.
second...what about letting them learn the consequences of unsuitable clothing and lost toys? you can always take more clothes along for when they figure out they're cold. some lessons are only learned through experience (actually most of them are) and no amount of nagging and impatience is going to teach them about the consequences of their choices if they don't have the opportunity to make the poor choices...it can only serve to make fodder for this sort of frustrated/guilt ridden post.
willi says...breath! if at all possible when in the throws of frustration, go into another room and take a couple deep breaths.
all this is easy for us to say with a grown girl (16 years today!!) i spent many, many hours regretting my behavior and responses to Inea...and look at her! ultimately, the most important thing is that they are secure in your love for them...and i have no doubt that your babies know they are loved. you are raising these kids by the seat of your pants (bizarre expression) and doing the best you can...and i'd say you are doing a great job! we can't be perfect in any of our relationships...why would we expect that with our kids?
you are one powerful, beautiful spirit, my friend...be kind to yourself around this stuff. and never hesitate to apologize to your children and explain how you were feeling and why you responded the way you did.
love to all...kitas
Kitas is a very smart women.....and so are you Anna. I think an awareness is definitely having a high level of understanding, about yourself and your impact on others....i think this is something that we continually strive to improve on in our lives...i have never had kids, but i can tell you i know how you feel! :)
xoxo
Two of my wisest, most beautiful friends in the world - thankyou so much for your feedback! I love you and miss you so very much! Thought of you and Nea, Kitas and can't believe how fast that girl grew up!
And Kim- you don't have kids but you have parented many crazy and beautiful dogs; and I figure a lot of the challenges are similar. But my kids have never eaten my underwear. Yet. ;)
Both of you are way too far away but my guiding lights anyway.
I feel better. And will give myself a break. Right now my level of patience is very low. But I have a good excuse. It is amazing how slow a soon to be 5 year old can be when it comes to putting her clothes on and walking to daycare. When she's so fast otherwise. But it's early, before 7 am. And I will breathe. And let that bus just drive on by and take the car if I don't make it...
Lucky to have these challenges. For sure. I know that.
Love to you my dears.
Oh the challenges of parenting.
