Dada says I should write an apology to Isaac
Right now we all have horrible head colds, but amazingly things are going much better with both boys. I think all of our positive attitudes are solar-powered, and the sudden influx of sun and the ensuing outside time has helped us all. And helped Jacob get a nice rash all over his cheeks and chin from slobbering on the Bjorn.
I have discovered that, with Isaac and his two-fits, about 90% of the nastiness stems from my attitude towards his attitude. That is, if I am not in the mood to deal with him, he is encouraged to dish it out Hungry-Man-style. However, if I can be cool and channel my inner Good Mom, trying to make light of things or cracking a joke or whipping out the Tickle Monster or changing his focus to this shiny object over here, then everything is just fine.
I am trying to be that girl more, but I am also just tired. We are all by our lonesomes out here, with no family to help. Sure, we have a nice sitter; she comes by once a week for a couple of hours in the morning to watch Isaac as I clean the house or pretend like I'm working on my children's book (whose deadline got extended to June 15. For procrastination enhancement!). Meghan is great with Isaac, but she will touch my baby over my dead body. So basically we are going on two months with no external visitors, no really luxurious breaks for me.
My need for a mommy moratorium coincides neatly with the impending nuptials of Uncle Chris and Aunt Jean. We were going to drive home in two weeks, but recent circumstances, including my insistence that we sell the children to the gypsies, are allowing us to leave, in the car, to Indiana this Thursday. To say we are psyched is a complete understatement.
I have discovered that, with Isaac and his two-fits, about 90% of the nastiness stems from my attitude towards his attitude. That is, if I am not in the mood to deal with him, he is encouraged to dish it out Hungry-Man-style. However, if I can be cool and channel my inner Good Mom, trying to make light of things or cracking a joke or whipping out the Tickle Monster or changing his focus to this shiny object over here, then everything is just fine.
I am trying to be that girl more, but I am also just tired. We are all by our lonesomes out here, with no family to help. Sure, we have a nice sitter; she comes by once a week for a couple of hours in the morning to watch Isaac as I clean the house or pretend like I'm working on my children's book (whose deadline got extended to June 15. For procrastination enhancement!). Meghan is great with Isaac, but she will touch my baby over my dead body. So basically we are going on two months with no external visitors, no really luxurious breaks for me.
My need for a mommy moratorium coincides neatly with the impending nuptials of Uncle Chris and Aunt Jean. We were going to drive home in two weeks, but recent circumstances, including my insistence that we sell the children to the gypsies, are allowing us to leave, in the car, to Indiana this Thursday. To say we are psyched is a complete understatement.
posted by Claire at 11:50 PM
8 Comments:
It is **hard** not having family there to help! And being fairly new to an area as well means your Friend Support System isn't really formed yet, either. We are in the same boat and it can really be tough when you just need a little break or extra hand. If I lived closer to you, we could trade help in the name of saving mommy's sanity. Enjoy your trip to see the fam and get LOTS of recharging time for Mommy and Dada!
I totally understand the feeling of isolation you feel. It is hard not to have family near you, if nothing else just for the built in sitters!
I loved your "channelling the inner good mom" quote. Too funny. I need to do that more often myself and remember that the good mom is in there somewhere. On some days it is hard to find.
I totally understand the struggle to channel the inner good mom. Totally.
We call that "picking your battles". Deciding when it is really important to go head to head with their strong little wills.
Sounds like you are learning an important skill for having more than a single little one. Good on you!
Oh, and the Weekend Words Challenge is up if you'd like to play.
WV: "UUUUD". I read that as "U's D" - or "used".
LOVE this blog. LOVE IT!
Okay - Sorry all - I wrote and was unable to publish (because I'm not totally web-bright)my earlier comment. Which was to tell Claire that I love her site, I found it at "'N' is for Neville Who Died of Ennui" and that I've enjoyed it eversince.
As a newly married woman talking abou kids with her husband, this site provides me with a very sincere and realistic view of parenthood.
Kudos to the O'Neal parents for rocking at raising Isaac and Jake!
I so needed this post. Me and the Gav are having a hard time too. He is the king of all tantrums. And I find myself losing control more and more as he has more and more tantrums. And like you we don't get to be around people much. I really like how you have been channeling in on your "Good Mom". I think I really need to do that with Gavin.
Best of luck!
Claire where have you gone to??
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