Always
June 07 2010 Yesterday was a miserable day. It was rainy and dark and the kids just wouldn’t stop even for a moment, Buzz leading the brigade. He slammed doors and emptied the entire contents of his toy box after I had just picked it all up and ran off with a number of things he wasn’t supposed to touch and he made his sister cry and threw a car at his brother resulting in a bump by his eye. The list, it goes on. Each instance I tried to sit down, 15 seconds later I was back up again. I was hanging on the verge of tears. He spilled a trail of milk and jumped on the couch and by the time the evening rolled around I had to lock myself in the shower just to keep my head from exploding.
When the time for bed came, it wasn’t soon enough.
In the dark of his room, just him and I. Tucking his growing body into bed, I wished for silence, a moment of calm, a chance to breathe after a horrible day. I don’t want to be mad at him. I hate when I’m mad at him. How can such a little boy cause so much frustration?
“You were a monster today”, I said, quietly, to myself more than him.
“I love you”, he replied, pointing from his heart to mine, the way I always say it to them.
“I love you”, I echoed, exhaling every negative emotion from the day. “Always.”
18 Responses
on June 07 2010
Sometimes they know exactly what to say to make us melt. Sorry you had such a hard time. Today is a brand new day
Justine’s latest post: What if the blade was sharp?
on June 07 2010
That is motherhood in a neat little bundle, for sure. Those hair-pulling frustrations, immediately followed by heart melting sweetness. Wishing you an easier day!!
on June 07 2010
Sorry you had a rough weekend. But those I Love You’s, so unexpected and sweet that (sometimes) you forget the day’s struggle. Wishing you a better Monday!
on June 07 2010
Oh I feel that. They know to pull every string, from frustration to endearing love.
on June 07 2010
They always seem to know what to say. I hope this day is easier for you. Rainy days are just the worst here.
Marilyn’s latest post: Who Knew I Was Such a Softie?
on June 07 2010
It is such a roller coaster ride isn’t it? My daughter has been uncharacteristically in a really bad mood for the last few days and yet still managed to melt my heart yesterday morning when she said she wanted to tell me what a good girl I was and that I was a princess. I love the honesty of your writing, thank you for sharing stories such as these which make the rest of us feel we are not alone in the days and thoughts we all have too.
on June 07 2010
We had one of those days with our littlest one this weekend. I wanted to throttle the little turd. Or sell her, like really cheap, on eBay.
Hope the little gremlin is nicer to you today.
TheKitchenWitch’s latest post: Minted Watermelon and Lemon Ice Pops
on June 07 2010
But such a lovely ending! Especially in hindsight, I’m sure.
Leslie’s latest post: Terrible Twos?
on June 07 2010
Those sweet, quiet moments make all the drama of parenting melt away… or at least seem a little smaller.
on June 07 2010
Seriously…I can’t figure out for the life of me how one little person can be so frustrating one minute and so amazingly adorable the next.
Best,
Tina
on June 07 2010
Sigh. They can bring you to your limit and then bring you back with a few sweet words.
Angella’s latest post: Sometimes No Means Yes
on June 08 2010
Oh man. Why is it they are so bad in streaks, so many things all in one day? It must be a full moon! I’m sure it’s almost more than you can take… but you did, you took it in stride and remembered to take a deep breath at the end of the day. Even acknowledging, as you tucked him in, that you didn’t want to be mad. That’s important. You survived!
Eva @ Eva Evolving’s latest post: Bringing that vacation happiness home
on June 08 2010
Oh boy…I can relate, to all of this. The misbehavior, the frustration, the holding onto the last shreds of my sanity. I lived this day recently (even posted about it last Friday or Saturday).
My son just discovered the art of cooing “Wove you!” while peering up at me with his big chocolate cow eyes after realizing he’s pushed me past the limit. Melt my heart.
Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama’s latest post: “Read It Forward” Book Giveaway
on June 08 2010
It makes me think, when they say things like that just when we need to hear it, that they really get it. I guess they just can’t help themselves. I loathe losing my cool, but I’m human and it happens and there are days when I simply can’t take it anymore. As much as I beat myself up about it, I try to remind myself that it’s real life too and okay to show this kind of emotion too. As long as they get to see the range they’ll understand it all better. (At least that’s what I tell myself)
Christine LaRocque’s latest post: Budding buddies and all that is sibling
on June 10th, 2010
@Christine LaRocque, It’s impossible to be happy and oblivious all the time, right?
on June 10 2010
That makes my heart do a little flip. I love those moments.
Catch the Kids’s latest post: A Brief Ride With The Arrow
on June 10 2010
This makes me wish for a locking shower to escape to! I’m jealous! I do hate those tough days, though, where you feel like you’re doing battle. Thank goodness for sweet “I love you’s.”
Stacia’s latest post: Home Alone
on June 10th, 2010
@Stacia, Well, I didn’t really lock myself in the shower, but the bathroom. Although that would be awesome.