Last night I was kind of crabby- ok- really crabby. I haven't had much sleep this week- ds #2 has been puking every night since Mon night. It was his birthday yesterday. He was still sick- puking and diarrhea. Dinner was crazy. We had eggs because we wanted to have something he would like that we could all eat with him, but dh cooked and did it "made to order" style so we really didn't have a family dinner. I forgot to give my other son his meds (ADHD).... It was nutty. Anyhow, I was reading with my older son and he was doing beautifully. Then all of a sudden he burst into tears. He sobbed nonstop for 20 min and refused to finish his reading. He wouldn't/ couldn't tell me what he was upset about and it continued from their. I got more and more frustrated and he continued sobbing. I told him he'd have to read an extra chapter because he was avoiding his work. (Background: He's 6, he has Tourette's and we are taking him back to the neurologist for perfectionism problems on the OCD spectrum). Bottom line was he was anxious, and I was frustrated because I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I sent him to bed (he had to finish the reading this AM) and talked to him. He continued to cry saying he couldn't help his tics and his worrying. He calmed down and went to bed. This AM I apologized saying I shouldn't have gotten upset with him- I was frustrated and trying to help and I didn't know how. I told him he shouldn't be punished for getting upset so he would have to finish his assignment from last night but no more. He seemed agreeable to that and finished it happily. He also said, "You really need to take deep breaths and calm down when you are frustrated so you don't take it out on your children!" WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?! Sounds like I'm a raving lunatic all the time! LOL! I swear I don't know where he comes up with this stuff!

By Happynerdmom on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 10:20 am:

It sounds like you handled it perfectly. One of my favorite parenting quotes is "Children were made to be raised by humans." This takes the pressure off of having to be perfect all of the time. Your ds, of all people, seems to know what it's like to get angry and frustrated. By apologizing, you just set an example of what we should do after we've had a frail "human" moment. As for what kids say, we could all write books! I've cut my son's hair forever, (he just likes it buzzed) but not to long ago he announced that he thought I needed to "leave it to the professionals!" My mil suggested years ago that I should write down all the funny things my kids said. I sure wish I would have taken her advice!

By Kolbysmom on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 10:20 am:

LOL That's so cute, what he said! It sounds like you have a mini Dr. Phil!

By Bellajoe on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 04:49 pm:

It sounds like you did a great job handling that situation. And I love what he said to you, that's so cute. I don't know where they come up with some of the stuff that comes out of their mouths!!

By Bobbie on Friday, February 27, 2004 - 09:54 pm:

Bad moment but a good resolve. Because you taught him a lesson through your actions. You fell short and you admited to it and it was over for you both. Next time he falls short he might be able to turn it around and not worry over it for so long. Because he is seeing through you that humans (even mommies) aren't perfect. We all make mistakes but we can try to make them right and then move on.

By Marg on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 09:17 am:

You know as parents, we often forget that sometimes we are wrong and need to apologize. I apologize to my children, especially when I look back on the situation and realize I didn't do the right thing!

I agree with Bobbie, it did have a good ending. I have a daughter who had a learning/speech delayment (yes, that's what they called it). For me it was so frustrating in finding her learning style. Everything came easy to me, I finally learned to sit back and let her take the lead and she had her own style of learning. The less I pushed, she would get in her method and teach herself. She's a visual learning, I'm not,lol! I had to catch unto her way.

Good luck! Don't fret the small stuff, I've learned that the hard way;)