Frustrated Mommy Moments » Four Against Two

Twelve Year Old Mood Swings And Rules To Live By

A Mom's Job, All you need is love!, Frustrated Mommy Moments, Teendom 2 Responses »

Feb 062012

If you have yet to live with a twelve-year old, please read the following post carefully. It could save your life or at the very least an unpleasant outburst of emotions, from you and the child you used to be able to tease.

Rule #1 Never look them directly in the eye when you know they are grumpy/psychotic. The glare from them can freeze you on contact.

Rule #2 When you are aware of said grumpiness, say as little as possible. Don’t try to fix it or make a suggestion. When needed to inform them of something important, make it very informal and indirect (while not looking at them) for example: “Lunch box is on the table.” Is much better than “Sweetie, I put your lunch box on the table by your backpack. Please don’t forget it.” That last statement may just make them leave their lunch box on purpose.

Rule #3 When later that day your twelve-year-old is happy, humming and the sweet child you remember DO NOT ASK THEM WHAT WAS WRONG EARLIER! They will revert back to grumpy. Just be happy that they are happy and get some hugs in while you can!

Rule #4 The rules change day by day and sometimes hour by hour. Do your best and remember that someday they will enjoy your company, help and support. At least I have been told this. I hope they just weren’t saying it to give me hope…..

Artwork credit

Dear World, My Kids Do Have Clean Clothes

A Mom's Job, Domestic Goddess, Family, Frustrated Mommy Moments 2 Responses »

Jan 192012

Dear World,

My kids do own clean clothes. They also have coats and gloves. They own and have demonstrated proper use with a toothbrush and a hair comb.

I recently made a pledge to myself to send my children off to school with more love than nagging. Thus instead of my normal “It’s January in Ohio, get over it and where your heavy coat” song and dance I have been trying to say things like, “Mommy loves you and doesn’t want you to be cold.” In a soft voice that is much like Mary Poppins or Ma Ingalls.

This recent pledge has backed me into a corner and given me little room to maneuver or manipulate. So you may see my almost twelve year old wearing her pajama shirt today,”No one will know it’s a pajama top mom.” Says Her. Little does she realize that everyone who has been to Walmart after Christmas and seen the 50% off pajama section will know. I did complement the shiny, red sequined head band she is wearing with said pajama top.

I know that the announcements the schools send out go to everyone, but I see them as personal failures.

” Dear Parent, please make sure your children have appropriate cold weather wear so they can play outside.”

“Dear School, I have provided cold weather outerwear for my kids and send them off to school with it. Check the backpacks and pockets for the items you need that they say they don’t have. I’m not sure why but my children feel the need to be cold. Please feel free to speak with them on this subject as they cannot hear my words on the subject, it must be a communication flaw.”

I’m not sure what I am doing wrong/different from the parents who get their kids to wear not only appropriate attire, but matching and cute attire as well. Pants, shirts and head bands that match and coordinate? How do you do such a thing? Is it genetic or maybe you torture your kids? Am I cursed because I refused to wear a dress for my mother from the ages of 3-14? Or maybe because I wore all black for three years and threatened to shave my head bald? Or maybe it is because I used to change at school into my shirts with skulls and crossbones that my mom wouldn’t let me wear? Or maybe it is because for a few years as a pre-schooler I claimed I was a boy?

I hope the curse will end soon, or my kids will learn to like being clean and warm. Until then, take pity on me and ignore what my children wear today to school. Please? I will owe you one.

Sincerely,

A mom who is trying not to nag