Gratitude, or lack thereof

There are a few things that really get my goat but probably the one that stands out the most is ungratefulness. Grrr.

I work very hard on teaching my children to be grateful and thankful and in today's world it is easier said than done but it is MY job. If we hear of someone less fortunate than us, a friend in need, a baby like Ivy Joy, I want them to ask, "What can we do?" They know they are lucky to have a roof over their heads, parents and a family that love them, 3 hots and a cot because I have explained that the things that we take for granted are not things that everyone has.

I shelter them from alot of the ugly in this world but I still want them to be aware and above all to be thankful. I don't want them to be all about, me me me, I want them to look at the bigger picture.

Last night ended on a sour note for both girls. They went to bed very upset. Auntie sally and Uncle Andy took them to Build A Bear and bought them bears and gave them a voucher for clothes. They were thankful and very appreciative but once we got home things went sour. An argument happened, ugly happened and I told them to hand it all over cos it was being returned. Now I can't return the bears but the clothing I can.

Today I went and returned it.

Live and learn little ones live and learn. Don't play with fire because you will get burned and today when you get home from school you will both pick a favourite toy that we will send to the Red Cross donation centre so that it can be sent to New Jersey for a little girl who just lost E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

You are both under the microscope of Mummys scrutiny, your behaviour was not becoming nor allowed. Now it is up to both of you to show that you know how to behave and to make it right.

Oh and don't forget this consequence has been dealt to you by a mother who loves you with all her heart but who is, first and foremost, your MOTHER. This is my job. If I fail at this I have failed at life and I will not raise ugly children.

My Yin ate my Yang

It's rare that I ever feel tired and beat up but this week has been one of those weeks, yes I know it's only Wednesday and today has been a particularly trying day.

Rosie has been in such an annoying mood all day today that by 7.00 o'clock tonight I decided she really needed to go to bed. Lily looked at me and said, Mum you do know that it is only 7 don't you? To which I replied, "Shhhhh".

Yep, I'm going for mum of the year again. I honestly believe that Rosie removed the part of her ears that hears today and tossed them willy nilly into the air with wild abandon. Wildchild did not listen to a word anyone said. Not one. She just threw caution to the wind and decided to rebel. It didn't get her far and she didn't like the consequences but she tried it. And then she tried it again and then again. WTH?

Even reverse psychology didn't work on her today she was hell bent on driving me bat sh*t crazy.

I just hope that when Wildchild opens her itty bitty eyes in the morning all traces of hell bent are gone. If they are not I just might try wine for breakfast.

Night all.

Even I'm surprised

I think when you dream about parenting you dream about a happy place with pretty little girls, with pretty little dresses, with flowy hairstyles etc etc. Some days are like that but others, not so much. The thing that has surprised me the most about being a parent are some of the things that have come out of my mouth. Things that as a mother to 2 girls I never in a million years thought I would utter. Actually I never thought about it at all because I was all caught up in my Laura Ashley/Pottery Barn Kids/Matilda Jane fantasy. Without naming which kids did what so as to save them some embarrassment, I will give you a couple of examples of things that are forever etched in my brain. ( Kids will be called Sprout and Squirt) The girls were getting ready to get into the bath one night and one was squawking up a fuss, as I walked into the room to see what all the commotion was about these words flew out of my lips: Sprout, don't lick your sisters bottom that's disgusting! (Yes seriously I have actually had to say that!) On another occasion I sadly had to say: Squirt, why is your sister's mouth taped shut? How about this one: who is the brainchild that thought doing laundry in the lavatory was a good plan? Oh and then there was the child that for 2 whole months had 2 invisible lizard friends who went everywhere with her. I had to talk to Larry and Lizzy all the freaking time and if I didn't Squirt got quite upset. She walked around everywhere with 2 clenched fists cos in each hand was an invisible lizard. Never thought I'd have to talk to one invisible lizard let alone 2 and for 2 whole months, ahah, I really did that. These moments never fell into my master parenting plan. They weren't in the big picture that I painted in my head. I do think think my master plan was rather dull in comparison to the one that I am living.