Monday, June 14, 2010

Episode #942 - In which our author starts out righteously angry and ends up feeling guilty

Y'know...at some point...I made a decision to CHOOSE to be a mom. Yep. I did this to myself ON PURPOSE.

And mostly? It's been great.

And mostly? I love the kid.

And mostly? The times when I have wanted to drop kick his cutie little patootie down the street...I've refrained.

Y'know, like the time he fingerpainted his crib with his own poop.
Or the time he smeared green play-do into the living room carpet and ruined it (hey, at least he moved on to non-toxic materials).

Or the time he took scissors to the couch and ruined it.

Or the time he ate somebody else's ABC gum off the ground in the parking lot.

Or the time he ate the squished bug.

Or the time he wiped black paint on my beautiful white hand towels that I had spent a year cross-stitching pansy designs onto.

Or the giant pile of trash he created behind the couch.

Or the even giganticer pile of trash he created behind the entertainment center.

Or the flood he caused that destroyed a good chunk of the second story of the house and part of the garage.

Or the time I found out that all the stuff that had been removed as part of the flood and stored in the bathtub in his bathroom for later re-installation was covered in PEE. Because, yeah, he'd been sneaking in there and peeing in the bathtub.

Really, I think I've shown REMARKABLE restraint over the years.

But I draw the line when it comes to my bead and crafting supplies. That is IT! Keep your sticky li'l 7-year-old paws on your OWN crap and leave my stuff ALONE.

Here's what went down:

Things over at Be Resinable have been going quite well. I've already had about 3 times the number of transactions in the store than I've had in my jewelry store and that's exciting. It's one thing to make stuff for yourself and be pretty happy with it, but there's something about knowing that others are actually moved to part with their hard-earned cash to aquire what you've made that takes that feeling to a whole new level.

At least there is for me.

So I was thrilled to get not only some repeat business, but also someone who wanted me to make some custom resin and candy cabochons for her. We convo'd back and forth and got all the details worked out and I was all set to make the first attempt this weekend.

On Sunday morning, I dutifully got out all my resining supplies. I had some other beads and pendants ready to resin, also, so wanted to get those set up, too. The resin starts to set pretty quickly so you need to have everything ready to go before you mix up a batch.

Then it was time to grab my trusy wheel o' candy sprinkles:






and start mixing up the colors my customer had requested.


I mix them into Ziploc baggies:


That way, I can keep whatever's left over for future use.

So, I got the first color mix done, and then I had to leave the room for a few minutes. I can't remember why, now, but somehow, I ended up being away for longer than I had intended.

I came back and sat down to mix the second batch. All went well in adding the first three colors. And then it was time to add the yellow. Except - all the yellow was gone.

WTH?

Ummm...this was a brand new jar. I know I used yellow in a couple of other mixes, but did I really use it all up without realizing it?

I know I'm aging a year on Friday of this week, but have I really reached the age of senility? Surely I would've noticed all the yellow being gone, right?

Then I heard a noise from the living room and looked up. And there he was. My son. Playing with his Legos on the carpet and looking all serene and innocent and I began to have that Mom radar feeling. When you just KNOW a massive BAD THING has occurred, but you don't really want to believe that YOUR BABY could've done it...except that you KNOW he did.

Sometimes, being a Mom really sucks ass.

But I had to do it. I had to ask the question. "Ummmm....Ryan? Did you eat some of Mommy's candy sprinkles?"

(and inside my head I'm thinking please please please don't lie because then I have to be pissed about that, too!)

And then I got it. The "guilty dog" expression. I swear this kid was a labrador in a previous life. And in that life? He must've pooped on the carpet. A lot. Because he has that "I'm SOOOOO in trouble, but if I look REALLY sad/pathetic/sorry maybe I won't get punished" look down pat.

So, this tiny little voice says "yes" very quietly.

Y'know...I never realized before that all those times Mom sent me to my room? She was really putting HERSELF in time out so she didn't kill me.

I don't think I've ever seen that kid run up the stairs to his room that fast in my entire life. Actually, I've never seen him run ANYWHERE that fast in his entire life.

And to be clear? I may make fun of the fact that this was my beading/crafting stuff and yeah, I am kinda miffed about that, but really? The main issue is that he needs to learn to respect other people's belongings AND that I have made it clear that the #1 rule in our house is "Ask Mommy FIRST."

And he continues to struggle with that (see list above). And I am tired of repeating that over and over and over til I feel like the proverbial broken record. I do not understand why I can't get this concept across. If you just ASK me, you won't get in trouble. If you'd ASKED for a taste of the yellow candy - I would've given it to you WITHOUT using up my entire supply thus leaving me unable to complete a custom order. You would've gotten your candy fix and I wouldn't have had an aneurysm.

Gah!
So, I dropped the hammer down on this kid. Playdate cancelled and sent to room until I feel like letting him out.

How did I use my subsequent free time? See that baggie up there in the picture that's a mix of yellow and pink candy? Yeah, I separated that bitch BY HAND to make up enough yellow to finish the order.

Then, I went up to check on the kid and have a discussion about what he'd done and to make sure he understood exactly what he was being punished for. And most importantly, to reassure him that even though I wasn't happy with his actions, I will always love him no matter what.

Even if some days I just wanna scream.

Apparently, his punishment had a REAL effect on him because when I went up there? He was fast asleep.

Looking like an angel.

And now I feel like the worst mom in the world.

And I still don't have any yellow candy, dammit!

KJ

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh wow. I have tears for you. Parenting stories of others are more enjoyable than our own, don't you think? But I am simultaneously taking deep breaths for you. And sighing. Hugs to you for your patience being tried and those crafting lines being crossed.

EmandaJ said...

Take a deep breath! You have come through the other side -- all will be well. (Kids are so darned cute so we don't kill 'em! And the other side of that is teenagers are so obnoxious so we let them GO!)

Emanda
P.S. My birthday is Friday too!

TesoriTrovati said...

Oh goodness! The things that we are put through as parents. Teaching respect is the foundation of it all...we work on the 4Rs...respect for self, respect for others, respect for adults and respect for things. But it can be a challenge. Keep on being an amazing mom. We all have those days (but I will admit that yours seem particularly trying!).
Here is a quote I missed while I was gone. I was saving it for the right occasion. But this seems like the best one...

“In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

― Tom Bodett

I think you may have had another test.

Watch your mailbox, Miss Kelly. Something good is coming your way...just as soon as I can get down to the post office.
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Lorelei Eurto said...

I think you handled it well! just like I would have!!
I think you're a fabulous Momma. Don't be so hard on yourself. He needed to learn to stay away from "Mommy's candy"!! he he he

Unknown said...

I have sooooo been there done that with my daughter (now 17 and still doesn't get the "because I said so" rule) and then we got a surprise 5 years ago (well actually 8 months before that) with our son and I am doing it all over again! I love being mom but.........

Mermaid Glass said...

hee hee hee! OK, that's a very tiny little 'hee hee hee' because I know it's not nice to laugh at other people's problems. But...well...it's funny when someone else's 7 year old son does naughty stuff. I don't feel so alone that way.

Congrats on having a little peace and quiet during nap time.

chacha1 said...

Why feel guilty? He went to sleep, so clearly he was not crushed beyond comfort.
:-)
Frankly I think kids benefit from getting a whiff of the Rage from time to time. Kids who don't respect authority come to a bad end.

Now then. Have you considered investing in some of those teeny, tiny, no-hole glass what-do-you-call-ems (they ain't beads if they don't have holes, IMO) instead of using something edible?

SummersStudio said...

Aww, Kelly, you are a good mum. It's all part and parcel of 7 year olds learning. I do think it's interesting that he went for the yellow. Me, I would have gone for the red sprinkles. Maybe you just need to concentrate on sparkly glitter? :-) BTW, I have put myself on time out more than once when my kiddos were little. I'm not sure I ever fell asleep though. That would have been nice.

Marie Cramp said...

Boy do I get what you are talking about!! I have four and the three youngest have this nasty habit of getting into EVERYTHING!!! I can not tell you the amount of times I have blown my lid!! The worst, is when the little one gets into my jewelry and then I find broken pieces or missing earrings! Hugs and chocolate sister!!

lunedreams said...

If I [again] think, "Thank GOD I don't have one of those" (i.e., a child), does it mean I'm bad?

stregata said...

Sorry to disagree with chacha1 - but don't use the glass spheres. Your short one will likely think they are candy and eat them - then you will really feel bad.

Unknown said...

Oh My God!
For shame on the booger, but I am laughing so hard right now.

Glitter doesn't go down nearly as easy as cupcake sprinkles.