You know that song by Matchbox 20? The lyrics of the chorus go like this:
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know, right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me.
Yeah...that was me this morning. A little crazy. Or maybe it was Miss Sunshine that was crazy and she was pinging off on me?! Whatever the case she went off to school quite happy, meanwhile I went off with tears in my eyes, feeling a little battered. Is it just me, or are kids just a lot harder work than I ever began to imagine?!
In any case by the time I'd helped a little boy get his debate speech together and another two girls got to the end of maths understanding that the 3 angles of a triangle = 180 degrees, I felt much better....like maybe I wasn't crazy and perhaps I might even be useful. Even if my own daughter doesn't think so right at the moment.
No....she's trying to be her own person. Trouble with that is she's only 12 and she's stubborn and independent. So am I. So is my mother. It's in her blood. It will be a good thing when she's 20, should she live that long! I can only hope that at some point we manage to find a balance between her stubborn nature and desire for independence, and the need for me, as a mother, to be more stubborn!!!
8 comments:
I feel for you, Tracy!!! It's not easy parenting pre-teens/teens. I sometimes feel like I am navigating a minefield, lol!
I am praying for you, xox
Oh Tracy - I feel for you too. As I was pegging some clothes out today I was thinking about the tortured relationship I had with my own mother at 14 (not sure why I got to thinking about it?) but I know she didn't deserve it and I hope she forgives me! Lisa x
Thanks gals! My Mum tells me that we had many 'moments'. I think how I felt about that period of time, and what I see in Miss Sunshine are two different things. Mum did say that she never seemed to see on me, the same 'attitude' that Miss Sunshine has on her.
While I have no advice on kids, I just wanted to mention that I love the other Matchbox 20 song that goes "reach down your hand in your pocket, pull out some hope for me.. it's been a long day.."
I think you might be singing that one later ;)
Ahh the mixture of hormones and entitlement... it sure can be an explosive combination.
May you both remember that yo love each other even when the world seems to be turning red at the edges.
Kind Regards
Belinda
I like the sound of those lyrics much better Felicity LOL.
Belinda, we had a chat this morning before the day got under way. Among other things I explained that God placed her in a family and that as such, I'm the one with authority over her and she needs to respect that authority. And I explained that being stubborn and independent will do her well in her future, but we both need to learn how to balance ourselves when we disagree with each other.
We've had a much better day today.
Still haven't found the spare house key Mr Busy 'accidentally' took to school yesterday. Geesh.
I'm glad you're having a better day today, and that you could have that talk with your daughter and she could listen. I was a terrible young teen--not mouthy, but sullen and uncommunicative and secretive. I didn't have a bad relationship with my mom; I virtually had no relationship with her! I'm so glad that these days we're friends and chat on the phone about knitting and sewing and my silly boys ...
I completely agree that the traits that are so frustrating now--stubbornness and independence--will pay off in spades later.
I can feel for you, Tracy. Raising children can be a tough job on some days but then there are those days when you don't know what you would do without them.
When days like this happen, just think of the days when you wonder what you would do without them knowing that this too shall pass.
I can tell you this, there will come a day when your daughter will thank you for all you've done for her. Just don't hold your breath in the mean time. It will come!!
Blessings,
Dianne
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