Am I supposed to listen when you talk?
“I surrender!” I say to my young little sprite
who has decided her bedtime should be at midnight!
“I quit!” I say to that saucy little doe
who chooses to ignore everything I know.
“Do what you want,” I exclaim to the stubborn little lass
while hiding in my bedroom away from her sass.
I can’t win this battle
I can’t win this fight
My Mom voice doesn’t matter
as I do nothing right.
So today I have decided to admit my defeat
and let her rule the roost while I eat something sweet.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 09:57:07
Hee hee. Kids. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t..wait. Take away the TV, cell phone and any computer time!!
Apr 16, 2012 @ 10:02:03
I can try, but that might mean a VERY LONG spring break . . . with me on duty by myself for most of the week. I think I am just grumpy about everything right now.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 10:22:45
I like how you call her a l-ass…:)
Apr 16, 2012 @ 10:23:28
That was very Freudian of me, wasn’t it?
Apr 16, 2012 @ 10:33:53
Apr 16, 2012 @ 15:11:51
Unfortunately, this battle does not ever go away. If you give in once, it only gets harder next time. I’m not suggesting being Cruella, but sticking to your guns for the most part will benefit both of you in the long run, even if it beats the crap out of you right now. Because the next time, she will be bigger, stronger & have a bigger voice, so her demands will be bigger, etc. Give just a little & make it seem like a real treat – she’ll appreciate it, but don’t make it feel like you’ve given in to blackmail or you’re sunk.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 16:33:01
See it’s not really a matter of blackmail, she just ignores me completely which makes it harder to give in in small ways. It’s hard to explain.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 15:40:05
Soft remembering smile. Oh yes, Lisa…I remember these days. So hard to parent at times. (I remember the teenage years as the worst. Ooops, should not say this. It will get better. It will…)
Apr 16, 2012 @ 16:31:19
I’m sure it will have it’s ups and downs. I’m just very tired and not in a good place within myself right now, which makes it all harder.
Apr 16, 2012 @ 16:21:47
What are you having for your sweet, Lisa? It might inspire my own craving…..
Apr 16, 2012 @ 16:29:43
I didn’t really eat anything then, but I had coffee ice cream later. I could use some kind of decadent chocolate goodness, or a night out with the girls (if I had any) for appetizers and dessert.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:49:01
Very cute. Did you read this to her? I think you should encourage her to write a poem back to you!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 08:45:16
I tried your idea, and it was, sadly, received like a punch in the face. Another brilliant misstep by a “terrible” mom.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 13:43:21
Been there. When my daughter and I hash it out (she’s 9) it is like cats and dogs. She’s a terrific drama queen, pouter-extraordinaire, holds grudges like they’re going out of style, and too smart for her own good.
But we have a love for writing and poetry and art in common, and that is what I started using to get us back on track a couple of years ago when her personality took off through the roof. She didn’t readily respond to my efforts, either.
Then, one day she left me a note under my study door explaining why she was mad at me (we’d had an argument the night before).
Since then, that’s how we make up. It’s like our little ice-breaker.
I wouldn’t take this first time as the ultimate shut-down. You may have just really thrown her for a loop, and her only course of action that she is comfortable with is more anger.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 13:46:21
Maybe it is part of being 9 (as Sarah is 9 too) We have done some writing together already, but today was just not the write time. She did end up writing something, but it felt forced.
Apr 24, 2012 @ 01:42:16
You and Janna are having some real struggles with the not-so-wee-any-more-ones. Best of luck.
Fun poem. Eat sweets.
Apr 24, 2012 @ 09:03:27
Parenting is never easy, but I have to believe this too shall pass/