Thursday, May 27, 2010

9:07 a.m.

By 9:07 this morning, I was done.

Max was having a teary conundrum about whether or not to accompany the 9th grade to 7Peaks for the day. Because, obviously, that's a tough decision. Go to a water park with your friends for the day or stay home.

But he was worried that he would somehow embarrass himself. Or that his friends wouldn't want to be with him and he would be all alone. And for some strange reason, he even started to doubt his ability to swim.

This was one of those times when I felt I had to push my child beyond his comfort zone. You know, for his own good. I can't imagine he'll come home with a lot of regrets about going.

I handed Lucas his lunch on our way to the car, and he said, "Oh, why did you pack me a lunch? I wanted to get school lunch because it's pizza today."

I replied that I hadn't known about these plans and duly put the packed lunch on the counter and went to get some change for school lunch. He then decided he didn't want pizza after all and grabbed the lunch I had made. For no explainable reason.

And then Eva burst into tears because I told her my visiting teachers were coming over.

I don't know how it's possible to have tears, worry, fear, anger, self-doubt, and mysterious indecision before 9:15 in the morning, but that's how they roll.

Sometimes I'm so exhausted by this mothering business I want to run away. Or go back to bed and pull the covers over my head.

But since those aren't really options, I guess I'll have to summon the will to carry on.


**edited to add: Max had a great time at 7Peaks today. Jill came over for Creative Friday a day early. Multiple disasters averted. Whew!

14 comments:

Rebekah said...

It's as if children knowingly and actively conspire to bring about the mental breakdown of their caretakers. Why? Why, why, why, why, why?

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Youch, what a miserable start to a day. All I can think of are the lyrics that say "caaaaarrrrrrr-yyyyyyy on". What oh what is the name of that song?

Maybe instead we should think about Styx's hit, "Come sail away with me" today.

Yes, yes. By all means today is a day to test the smile theory.

Melinda said...

Oh how I feel your pain on this. I feel really bad that there are days when I send the kids off for the bus stop I actually say, ahh finally, and good bye! Mornings just shouldn't have to be this hard!

melanie said...

That is definitely an excess of emotion before 9:15 in the morning. I so wish for today that you could have thrown in the towel but your last sentence says it all. Carry on you must (we all must on days like this, ugh). Maybe Jane's theory really will work. Here's hoping for you.

Charlotte said...

Oh dee. What a morning. Maybe you can retreat to a good book or movie for a bit? I also think this justifies some more pretzel M&Ms. Just sayin'.

Jill said...

It's particularly grim that all of this happened before 9:07am...that's just too cruel. It's also cruel that all 3 of them ganged up on your with their smotherhood-like issues. Good grief. I feel your pain and am glad at least part of the day was good right?!

patsy said...

I too feel your pain!
mornings can be so hard sometimes... I sighned up to be a reading tutor two mornings a week this past school year, but after getting my own kids out the door I felt completely spent most days. It was rough & i won't sign up again because I was already waisted at 9:00 - crazy.

shannon said...

I'm exhausted by this whole mothering business, too...I often wonder what I was doing when the "earth assignments" were being doled out...(I was probably talking and not paying attention, cause some of this balogny that we have to deal with I surely wouldn't have signed up for!)

Better day today? :)

jenn said...

Why isn't curling up under the covers an option?!!

Glad disasters were averted and all turned out okay.

Michelle said...

You and I MUST pow-wow soon. I frequently have to "insist" that Nicole hang out with friends...what the?!

I'm so glad your day improved and SOOOO GLAD that Max had fun.

Susan said...

Sounds like an exhausting morning to be sure! I have my own issues that make me feel very similar with staff and clients...but I can be way more objective since they are not my family...or children.

Sounds like you ended up having an okay day and the kids hopefully as well. Glad Max went along for the ride and enjoyed the day.

Denise said...

I think those pool parties are a little stressful for kids of that age. Hells bells--it would be stressful for me, having to parade about an amusement park all day wearing a bathing suit! I hope he had fun, regardless.

shannon said...

I totally agree with Denise...
I'd be stressed, too!

Glad to see in your edited to add that multiple disasters were averted...
(how many days left till school starts again?) :)

amy gretchen said...

oh dear. that's a lot to handle before the sun comes up.

glad it ended better.

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