January 16, 2009

Not my kid

Wicked was, of course, amazing. I would probably say that it wasn't as good as it was when I was there last time, but I still can't complain. The seats that we were in for the first half were so uncomfortable (they were chairs set up in the handicapped area . . . I was supposed to be with a child in a wheelchair, but he wasn't able to come after all). For the second half, the usher let us move to comfy seats front and center in the dress circle. I've never had seats that good for any production!

The drive to and from Chicago, however, was less than amazing. They were treacherous. On my way home, I went almost an hour without ever seeing pavement. The snow and ice were overwhelming and my back and arms still hurt from being tense while driving.

But I made it home, and we had our small group at our house last night. We hadn't met since before Christmas and it was good to see everyone. The adults were upstairs and the kids were with a babysitter downstairs. I heard Jack crying two or three times and I knew without even asking that it was either because Jennie told him "no" or because he wasn't sharing well.

In his defense, he had a poopy diaper, a horrible diaper rash and was up well past his bedtime, but the number of fits about sharing and being told, "no" are rapidly on the rise. Kyle and I don't walk around grabbing things out of the other's hand and yelling, "MINE!" So where does he learn this? We play games where Jack takes a turn, then mom takes a turn, then dad takes a turn . . . and he seems to get it, but when it comes to sharing toys or books, or the attention of an adult . . . all composure is lost.

Oh, and Jack tried to take Kyle's ipod today, and Kyle said, "No, no, Jack." Jack looked him straight in the eye and said, "Let go!" Which of course, was not tolerated. What have we done to make him think that talking to us like that is ok? We're trying to stick to our guns and be consistent with boundaries, but it's a lot more exhausting than I would have thought it would be.

He's still my sweet boy more often than he is a terror. But I too often find myself thinking, "Ugh, this cannot be my kid."

5 comments:

Heather S. said...

I can't tell you the number of times we have thought, "Where did she learn that?" The girls will randomly say something that has NEVER been acceptable, but they say it as if it is normal. People who think kids are not born sinful, must not have kids. It makes our job as Christian parents so challenging!!

Unknown said...

Ugh! I can SO relate! I felt like such a great parent when Avery was a baby! Ha! Then he got mobile...then he turned 2! aah!!

Anonymous said...

Like constipation, "This, too, shall pass."

You're doing GREAT! Still to your boundaries. He knows you love him.

Kristyw905 said...

He wouldn't be normal if he didn't absorb everything he sees and hears and then try it out for size! And, who better to try it out on than mom and dad! You may never know when and where he picked up some of his behaviors, but it becomes more interesting and complicated with each year older. Count your blessings that although he might be acting ornery, he is also normal! Also, stick to your guns and persevere! Suddenly he will be 30 with kids of his own!

Christina said...

seats that close and it wasnt your fav performance? im jealous!