where wildly different is perfectly normal
Why is it so damned hard to raise kids?
Why is it so damned hard to raise kids?

Why is it so damned hard to raise kids?

Did I miss a memo somewhere? Maybe in childbirth classes? ‘Cause that’s the last place I took a class about kids. I mean, I know it’s difficult being a parent and always has been, but come.on. This tough? Are ya kidding me? And I’m not the only one right now having a rough time.

Jamie’s daughter “got revenge” on her younger brother in an, um, interesting way.

Kelley’s son is scared to go into the kitchen because of a sweet potato.

Michelle had to drop the boom on her son while visiting her sister.

Tootsie’s Boy Child #2 is doing his perfect imitation of the middle child and driving everyone insane in the process.

My friend Kate is so exhausted from caring for her newborn that I’m not entirely sure she knows which way is up.

And I’m sure there are many, many more and the parents are too overwhelmed to write about them.

Is it a full moon? Is that it? Because my kids haven’t gone batsnot crazy with the full moon since April, and I was anticipating July to be bad. Tell me, I can handle it. Is it because J will be 4 on Sunday (holy.crap. his party is Friday night and I just freaking remembered)? Is it because it’s summer break and it’s hot and the kids are out of school and underfoot all day? How the hell did pioneer women do this? Granted, many of them died young, but good God! For my own sanity, someone tell me how to petition for year-round school!

My kids are stuck in their respective rooms until aforementioned rooms are cleaned. I tend to pick my battles, and rooms usually aren’t as high on the list as, say, learning to not mouth off or something. Today I decided the rooms were worth battling. When it gets to the point of being dangerous to go in there at night to check on them, it’s time. They’ve been up there for 2 hours and I can guarandamntee that they’re not clean. At least it’s quiet down here.

Learning to parent while parenting is the most insane thing I’ve ever heard. I had five years of college to learn to be a band director. There’s no way I could have taught without that education. Could you just imagine me going in to my first beginner french horn class and looking at the kids and saying, “Well, I know nothing about this instrument, I guess I’ll just have to figure it out as we go…oh, and I’m the final word.” Anarchy, I tell you. (Oh, and don’t even get me started on how woefully unprepared I was for classroom management).

The lack of summer activities here is really starting to take a toll. Many things are too expensive, too distant, it’s too hot out, or the boys have a short activity in the middle of the day. I used to say I was working for OT; now that A is out of OT (thankyouGOD!), I’m now working for summer camps 2009. And, come next spring, if I say that “oh, we’ll be fine with only a few activities,” someone reach through the monitor and pop me one on the forehead a la “I coulda had a V8!” ’cause I’ll totally have that coming.

But seriously, tell me again why we don’t have year-round school?

16 Comments

  1. 1. Batsnot crazy just makes me laugh out-loud! thanks for that and I’ll credit you when I use it in every future blog!
    2. A little scared when I think of kids being in their rooms and quiet for 2 hours. Do you know there is no closet-pooping happening?
    3. I thought I totally knew how to parent before I had kids. I was the BEST parent out there…until the Princess arrived.
    4. My vote is to change the child -labor laws and next summer I’d totally be up for getting these kids a job.

  2. I was going to write a post today titled “There is not enough ice cream in the world to solve my parenting issues,” but you pretty much covered it here. Thank you. And now onto round three of Edy’s Cookies and Cream.

    Oh, and on a side note, totally loving the ice cream cone. I usually use a bowl, but splurged today. No mess, no fuss. And environmentally friendly! That’s a convenience this parent can live with!

  3. Hmmmm, that was the GOOD thing about Boo being on school holidays in the dead of winter when it is too cold or too dark to go anywhere.

    And then the job thing? Moo has a job. And I spend my freaking life organising around pick up and drop off times.

    People warn you about labour when you are pregnant. Meh, walk in the freaking PARK compared to everyday parenting…

  4. You do not want to get me started on why we don’t have year-round school. Lets just say it isn’t about the kids at all…..ahem.

    How do I get through the summer without putting the children in to a foster care program? I’m not sure yet. I just know that I’ve gotten through 4.5 weeks and there are only 6.5 weeks left.

  5. We have a choice elementary school in our district that runs year round. I think they have 45 days on and then have 15 days off. I’m not really sure how it all works. As a teacher, I love having summers off. As a parent of older kids (10 and 12) they need something more to do that won’t break the bank accounts. How old do they have to be to work? LOL 😀

  6. Pingback: AllMediocre - The Web’s Best Blogs, You Just Don’t Know It! » Blog Archive » Weekly Shout-Outs and a Call to Rock the Vote

  7. Jennifer H

    Pioneer women made the kids work in the garden, or to chop wood and stuff. It’s worth considering.

    We’re considering moving to another town in the metro area here and I think they have year-round school. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but this summer is sure making it sound like a great idea!

    Hang in there…

  8. G

    Wow, I’m so glad someone else isn’t too afraid to admit that this parenting thing is not “as seen on”!!!! My friend and I think we should write a book called “Not in my brochure….” about how everyone (including those already-in-the-know-parents) makes having kids sound like the most rewarding thing in the entire world!!! Is my reward, then, having an 8 year old scream his head off because his squirt gun is broken???? Ha! I love him, I love him, I love him is my daily mantra!!!!
    Thanks for sharing – and making me feel that I am not alone!!! G

  9. Great post!

    Mine are still really young, but they used to be content puttering around the house and yard. Now that I’ve taken them on a couple of playdates and to the library…they insist on being driven around everyday. They both stand at the door screaming, CAR CAR CAR, until I give in and take them for a ride or give them a cookie to distract them.

    The way gas prices are…they are going to need to get job to pay for my gas!

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