I just wrote about how some days with little ones make you want to scream. Well, I had one of those days today. Today was one day when I wondered if it was too late to give her up for adoption. Three is a tough age and today I was weak. I am stressed, I have a messy house, a broken washer, company coming tomorrow, swimming for the other kids in the morning, and a three year old that decides today is the day for whining and not listening. As I mentioned, most of the time we have issues with our children it is because of us and not them. She cannot fully appreciate the stress I am under trying to get an ebook done, the stress of a washer breaking down in a house with six people, a messy house and no time to clean, and company coming so the house must at least appear to be clean.
So, I needed to go to the store. My three year old asked daddy if she could come with me. Instead of his usual response, “go ask your mom”, he said “sure, get your shoes.” Why did he say that? I was on a time schedule and I had to bring two of my other kids. But, I decided to allow her to come along knowing she would be bored and end up causing trouble. I was right. She was bored. My two other kids were bored. They had to go shopping for items for sports they are taking over the summer. They were engaged when it benefitted them. The unengaged child was bored and decided to play with my three year old. Play. In a store with actual people. The older children know their limits but my three year old decided it was a free for all and ran around, picked things up to show me, and tried to tag a sibling. I responded rather harshly in that quiet tone that says I would scream right now if not in public. The older children were angels after that. My three year old was still in play mode. That ended with another harsh response. Now, I believe in discipline. I believe in harsh discipline. But my reaction was frustration not discipline. My reaction did not benefit my child or teach my child anything. Well, it did teach her not to mess with mommy when she is in a bad mood. While that bit of advice may save your life it is not the lesson that should be taught. So, parent fail today. Let’s just hope I learned my lesson.