Parenting

Am I a good parent? Hell, I don't know, go ask my kids. They'll probably tell you I'm a good mom when we're doing "fun" stuff & a bad mom when they're in trouble. Yeah, that's like 25% of the day, if I'm lucky. At least I think that's what they'd say. During fun times I always get the "Mom, you are the best mom ever!" & discipline times "I hate you, I want to go live with another mom!" OK, so my oldest says it anyway. My middle DD is still too self centered to think about complimenting anyone & the baby, well duh, she doesn't talk. But those are the heart melting OR heart breaking times in parenting were you know if you are thriving or failing......

Yes, I really did say my oldest tells me she hates me. And yes, I really did say she would like to move in with a new mom. This takes place at bedtime. Usually when she's over tired & fighting sleep. This child has never been a sleeper. Trust me, she didn't get that from me......I always reply with a I love you & I'm sorry you feel that way. I even offer to help pack her bags & let her know how much she'll be missed. She usually tells me she can't drive yet & wonders how she'll get there. I offer to drive her or drop her off at a bus stop. She doesn't like that very much. Well kiddo, neither do I. It breaks my heart when you say it.

Yes, I really did say my middle DD was self centered. It's proven that until a certain age, kids don't relate to anyone's feeling but their own. All they know is what they want, when they want it. At least that's what I read. And I guess that's a good thing. It's survival mode. If it wasn't all about me at this age, how would they make it? Bad thing is, she's going through the I'm gonna cry about everything phase:

You didn't take me to the bathroom 2 seconds after I asked.
You aren't pushing me high enough on the swing.
You are pushing me too high on the swing.
Sissy took my toy.
Baby pulled my hair.
Someone is touching MY pillow. (FYI, this is a body pillow, about 3 times her size that she carries everywhere, OK not out of the house, but still)

Good thing she's my lover. Good thing she has the tiniest little voice that melts my heart in a instant.

And yes, my baby is still just a baby. Self centered & stubborn w/massive stranger anxiety. She'll flirt with you, but don't touch her. Somedays, don't look at her. She's a teething, pudgy ball of a mess right now. She's a peanut butter, popcorn & banana loving little princess. Afraid of the grass but loves the outdoors. A dirt eater like her 13.5 mo older sibling. And her smile, can't forget that. It's a half crooked, 4 teeth on top, pirate grin!

Yes, there are so many times I question my parenting but I love my girls!!