Another Day, Another Dilemma

Written by Sheree Echlin

Deep breaths. It’s something I have to tell myself quite often these days thanks to my attitude riddled teen….ahhh sorry I mean my four-year-old daughter. Yep, she’s only four-years-old, but I swear there’s a teenager in there trying to escape already! Do you ever feel like you just can’t win?! I mean with your kids, of course. The rest of your life is always another story. Every day there’s a new battle, sometimes a different angle but usually over the same things. Honestly who’s running this show? I think I’m the one in charge. But, with two little ladies (ahem) running around, it’s hard to tell some days. They like to boss me around in order to get their own way. Think clothes, food, watching TV, going out and so on. They do win me over some times, others not so much. Okay, so they may get their own way a little more than necessary but Mummy needs to save her sanity as much as possible! 

Watching your child have a meltdown because they asked for a peanut butter sandwich and you have given them a peanut butter sandwich but it’s not the one they wanted, is just on another level altogether. It’s like those memes you see where a child has had their toast cut into squares and not triangles. It’s pretty much game over. It’s not like it tastes any different but the world is ending and the expressions on their faces are pretty much like their lives are over. It can be quite funny and at times, it’s hard not to laugh when my girls are losing it. I know it doesn’t help the child in crisis, but it certainly makes you feel better and stops you from joining them. I’ve thought about turning the tables on my girls many times and throwing a tantrum to see how they react, but I think it might not go so well! Plus, I think I’d look pretty funny (or ridiculous) banging my fists and feet on the floor. Isn’t it a case of if you can’t beat them, join them? (haha!) 

I quite often say they’re lucky I love them. I wouldn’t not love my girls, but there are times I’m not so sure I like them. Lately I’ve been called a “bum bum head” more times than I’d like to count. They certainly don’t like it when I’ve called them the same in return. It’s a bit childish I know, but I am trying to explain the not so nice side of name calling. It works for about five seconds (goldfish memory style) and we’re back to square one. You can only try right?! Try, again and again and again and again. That’s what parenting is, repeating yourself over and over again until they leave home? 

I must admit, the house is pretty quiet (and clean!) when they aren’t around. I’m sure every mum out there is nodding in agreement. There’s nothing better than that five minutes (or a little bit longer…you can only hope) where the house is clean and there is no washing to be done. It’s like heaven on Earth! That feeling of accomplishment, which quickly disappears the minute a child steps foot back in the door. It’s at that moment you admit defeat and the cycle starts again. Although I do feel I’m starting to make a little headway when it comes to packing things (the millions of toys, books and miscellaneous items) away. It involves bribery of course (haha!). It’s amazing what a child will do for a little “treat”. What that treat is varies on how big a clean up is involved. The bit I hate is checking out the “packing up” effort and having to smile/nod/give the thumbs up and say “great job girls” when my nervous OCD twitch is kicking in at the pile of toys in a random place. It’s the thought that counts I have to tell myself as I handover the promised “treat”. I think I might have to come up with some better bribery attempts, the reward for their efforts feels a little too….easy (haha!). 

It’s a tough gig and not one that everyone takes in their stride. Whether anyone tells you or not, you’re doing an amazing job, I mean they are still alive, aren’t they??! Keep smiling and when all else fails get some wine and chocolate, it’ll make you feel better long enough to survive the next stage! Head on over to my blog at shereeechlin.com and until next time, keep enjoying the ride!