We talk a great deal here in the Parents Blog about all the “right ways” to do things as a parent. Sure, there are plenty of books and articles and experts out there who can guide us on the road to being a functional and effective parent, and, I think most of us really want that. But, I wanted to admit that sometimes I don’t care if I am a perfect parent or not. I’m human, I get exasperated, I get so tired of saying something for the umpteenth time I think I will scream. What I really want is for my kid to just stop doing that behavior!
There are un-winnable battles in the world of parenting. We know it, and yet we also know that we are not supposed to give up or show signs of weakness. We stubbornly stay the course, but our child stubbornly stays the course to. I confess there are times when I just fantasize that they STOP. They just stop being naughty or messy or obnoxious or whatever. What parent hasn’t wished that things would change without our having to go to the experts or psychology books? I can remember my own parents saying with exasperation, “How many times have I told you?” It didn’t seem to stop my naughty behaviors.
Oh, if I had a dollar for every time I feel like my head is going to explode if I step over one more pair of smelly shoes or walk into the kitchen to find a sink full of dirty dishes! Or, if I hear one more excuse for why someone is late for curfew or late to school or late to anywhere, period! My brain gets tired, my mouth and voice box get tired, I get weary of hearing my own voice and think that all I can manage is a strong and vocal “Stop!” Just stop, please, stop being naughty. Please?
See Also: Catch Bad Habits Early