As I sit here and reflect on the morning's events I can't help but smile. Oh what a difference a day can make, right? I'm coming off one terrible Tuesday morning we encountered yesterday. That morning was filled with tension, frustration, venting of feelings, and just pure misery. Before I made my Facebook post about it, I was certain that I was the only mother out there who ever experienced such mornings and that perhaps I was just a really bad mom and that it was all my fault and something I'd just have to deal with. However, after the response I had to my comment on Facebook, I no longer feel alone, that I'm the world's worst mother, but that I am a member of an organization of mother's who struggle daily to make their kids' morning routine one where all leave the house alive and somewhat mentally intact. Thank you to all you ladies who responded and showed me support and shared my feelings. Some of you are currently going through the same thing, have been and overcome it, or are preparing to enter the school years and will experience it. Hang on to your seats, new mothers, but know that it can be done. I am proof that you can make it through the morning with your kid(s) and come out with your sanity!!!
Outfits were laid out before bed and lunches were packed to the point where they could be. I took the time to lay out the plan for the girls, letting them know what I expected of each of them and what would happen if things didn't play out according to the new plan. Sadly, Sophie gets looped into this just because she's a member of the family, but y'all, she's pretty much got her stuff together. She's entering the light make-up and actually caring how she looks phase, so I know her time is coming to give me grief, but all in all, she gets it and knows what I need from her. Ruthie Belle, on the other hand, just doesn't care. It's gonna be her way or the highway and she's gonna hold her ground. Well, that didn't work so well for her yesterday when she got a spanking for her behavior before school. This morning from the get-go she was hesitant to get on board, but begrudgingly she ate a few bites of breakfast and got dressed when I reminded her. It went pretty well until she fussed about how her jean shorts fit and how she hated them and they felt weird and she didn't want to wear them, this all while I'm brushing her long, wild hair out so I can try to tame it in some sort of way. While she was pouting and looking every which way but the way I needed her to, I decided on two cute little braids to keep her hair out of her face. And, here we go...as soon as she saw the hairstyle I was giving her she started to whine, pull away, gripe...oh how she hates the braids...nobody wears their hair like that...it looks awful...she hates them...and it went on and on. "Oh the blood of Jesus carries me..." I began to sing out loud as I continued the braids. "What a sacrifice..." I continued...I think it actually made her more frustrated that I ignored her pleas and just kept singing. Score for me!!!! I didn't yell...I didn't fight back...I kept my cool.
The car ride to school was normal. Sophie was happy and talking to me. She looked so pretty in her tween to teen outfit. I glanced back at RB and saw she was still sulking and not happy with me. So, I took in a breath and told her "Okay, I see now that you really don't like that hairdo. I promise, I won't give you two braids every again, okay? If I try to, just remind me, mom remember I don't like this hairstyle?" And to my surprise, she nodded and said "okay." I acknowledged her grievance and she seemed to respect that. And from that point on she talked to me...until she protested where I stopped the van to let her out...there was a car in front and one behind so I just followed the dropoff line and I guess she didn't like where the car had to stop. Pleeeeease....it's always something with that child. So, I told her I loved her, good luck on the Iowa testing and have a good day. Not a word from her as she walked away, but you know what, I did my job. I got her to school in one piece and dressed and that's about all I can do.
Thanks to all of y'all who prayed for us. Your prayers were definitely felt and appreciated. I don't know what tomorrow holds or what we're gonna encounter, but I do know there is hope and choosing my battles works. I love my girls beyond belief and want them to grow up with good memories and I want them to be good Godly women. One step at a time...one step at a time...
Outfits were laid out before bed and lunches were packed to the point where they could be. I took the time to lay out the plan for the girls, letting them know what I expected of each of them and what would happen if things didn't play out according to the new plan. Sadly, Sophie gets looped into this just because she's a member of the family, but y'all, she's pretty much got her stuff together. She's entering the light make-up and actually caring how she looks phase, so I know her time is coming to give me grief, but all in all, she gets it and knows what I need from her. Ruthie Belle, on the other hand, just doesn't care. It's gonna be her way or the highway and she's gonna hold her ground. Well, that didn't work so well for her yesterday when she got a spanking for her behavior before school. This morning from the get-go she was hesitant to get on board, but begrudgingly she ate a few bites of breakfast and got dressed when I reminded her. It went pretty well until she fussed about how her jean shorts fit and how she hated them and they felt weird and she didn't want to wear them, this all while I'm brushing her long, wild hair out so I can try to tame it in some sort of way. While she was pouting and looking every which way but the way I needed her to, I decided on two cute little braids to keep her hair out of her face. And, here we go...as soon as she saw the hairstyle I was giving her she started to whine, pull away, gripe...oh how she hates the braids...nobody wears their hair like that...it looks awful...she hates them...and it went on and on. "Oh the blood of Jesus carries me..." I began to sing out loud as I continued the braids. "What a sacrifice..." I continued...I think it actually made her more frustrated that I ignored her pleas and just kept singing. Score for me!!!! I didn't yell...I didn't fight back...I kept my cool.
The car ride to school was normal. Sophie was happy and talking to me. She looked so pretty in her tween to teen outfit. I glanced back at RB and saw she was still sulking and not happy with me. So, I took in a breath and told her "Okay, I see now that you really don't like that hairdo. I promise, I won't give you two braids every again, okay? If I try to, just remind me, mom remember I don't like this hairstyle?" And to my surprise, she nodded and said "okay." I acknowledged her grievance and she seemed to respect that. And from that point on she talked to me...until she protested where I stopped the van to let her out...there was a car in front and one behind so I just followed the dropoff line and I guess she didn't like where the car had to stop. Pleeeeease....it's always something with that child. So, I told her I loved her, good luck on the Iowa testing and have a good day. Not a word from her as she walked away, but you know what, I did my job. I got her to school in one piece and dressed and that's about all I can do.
Thanks to all of y'all who prayed for us. Your prayers were definitely felt and appreciated. I don't know what tomorrow holds or what we're gonna encounter, but I do know there is hope and choosing my battles works. I love my girls beyond belief and want them to grow up with good memories and I want them to be good Godly women. One step at a time...one step at a time...
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