Thursday, April 16, 2009

That Wild Look

I had that wild look in my eye tonight. I couldn't quite help it. Tuesdays are tough - four soccer practices. Thursdays are tougher - two soccer practices, three piano lessons. The good news is that we only have one thing for one child on Monday night, nothing on Wednesday night and Friday night is my very fave cause it is Orange Crush soccer practice. That means that I get to sit with my friends and chat and if I am lucky, we end up in the driveway having too many beers before the night is over.

Oh, but back to the wild eye.

I know that we can do all of the things that need to get done. I know that everyone can make it to all of their events on time and with all of the needed gear.

I have been harping on the kids about getting their stuff ready so that we aren't scrambling when it is time to start the shuffle. The last few weeks I have hit the breaking point.

This one can only find one cleat. That one can't find the piano books. This one can't find any shin guards. 'Oh mom, can you stop at 7-11 - I forgot my water bottle.' 'Oh man, I'm gonna hafta run laps because my ball is flat.' 'I'm going to hafta run laps because I got to practice late.' And it goes on and on and on.

Well, today was another day of scrambling to get our stuff together and get out the door. I did quite a bit of fussing. Or maybe I should be honest and say quite a bit of yelling. Which turned into two kids going to soccer barefooted. Yep, you read that right - no shoes, no shin guards, no socks, no ball, no water bottle.

I'm done. I can't look for their stuff anymore. I can't have them looking for their stuff when we are trying to walk out of the door.

I know some of the folks on the sideline thought that I was being a little harsh. I'm sure the coaches thought that I had finally lost my mind. But geez louise - how else are they gonna learn. I'm not going to be with them for the rest of their lives to pack their ding dang bags.

I wish that it didn't send me into such a tail spin. I wish I could handle these situation with grace and dignity. But I can't and I didn't.

And guess what - on the ride home, one of the kids actually told me that she was very upset with me before practice but she learned from it and from now on would always do her best to have her bag packed the night before.

Okay - that's all I ask. Make an effort. And I'll make one too - because I don't really like it when people see me with that wild look in my eye.

6 comments:

Christy said...

I just stood up in my computer chair to give you a wild standing ovation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You ROCK! That takes guts, it is NOT harsh and I bet that doesn't ever happen again. You my friend, are on the way to a smooth running home.

Now, I need you to infuse me some of that spine.

Texicana said...

Too bad you weren't sleeping at 10:30. However, of course you did the right thing. You are a good, loving mom but you are raising children to be good, loving citizens of Planet Earth. Now maybe they'll be more grounded as to their day-to-day responsibilities. Discipline equals love. Just breathe and know it's all going to work out. You're a fantastic mom.

walli said...

hey let me know ill come over for a beer on ur driveway... ok

walli

Heather and Stephen said...

I think this is the BEST way to teach a lesson!

Amy J. said...

"And guess what - on the ride home, one of the kids actually told me that she was very upset with me before practice but she learned from it and from now on would always do her best to have her bag packed the night before."

This is how you know you did the right thing. I'm surprised you have no comments on this post - seems like something people will either whole-heartedly agree with(like me) or vehemently disagree with.

You're still my parenting hero. Hell, who am I kidding - you're my hero, period! ILY!

Kristin said...

I just almost spit my drink out my nose I was laughing so hard!!! I just love you KC :)