For the first time in their short little lives, my boys have started to fight.
Not just play-wrestle, but actually get angry and annoyed at each other for no apparent reason. They fight over where they sit at the dinner table, who gets the red cup, who gets this 2 block white lego piece (which we have 50392934 of), if the color of the grass is green or medium green, if one of them is breathing funny...on and on and on.
I don't know if it is a 2 months of summer thing and they are just a little sick of each other... or a two and a half months of their Daddy being gone and the boy-aggression they normally would take out playing sports with him is mounting into annoyance at each other... or my biggest fear, that my own lack of patience is reflecting onto their personalities.
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Yesterday, it was 4:15 and the thread I was hanging on to was about to break when the boys started arguing over who had dirtier toenails and I turned around to realize Wells was having a rock tasting party with himself. So I told them to get on their bikes and put Wells in the wagon and decided to go for a walk until it was at least time for dinner. I could have sworn we were gone for an hour (and realized halfway through that Wells was pantless and the boys were shoeless and hemletless- I might as well been wearing a bathrobe, drinking a 16oz can of Natty Light and smoking a cigar), but when we got back, only 23 minutes had passed.
ONLY 23 MINUTES.
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| what my neighbors see |
I burst into tears and sent them out back to play in the mud and, you guessed it, they started fighting over who got to build the dirt bike ramp and them pushed Wells down when he tried to eat the dirt bike ramp. Cue tears, round 2.
Look, how cute, Wells learned to say MaMa
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Every morning when I wake up I say a quick prayer for Kev's safety, the boys happiness and health and my own Patience and Grace. Luckily, my prayers for Kev have been successful, and even though the boys are bickering, they are also healthy and still love each other fiercely, which I am grateful for.
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| A moment of sweet playfulness |
As for myself, the trials of this week have simply been another lesson in how many ways I still have to grow. I thank God everyday for my beautiful boys and hard working husband and pray that I can be the best version of the person they need me to be. I fall short all day long, but I am trying. I swear I am trying (despite what the mud suggests).
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I am so very thankful that this weekend I will have an awesome two days 'off' to attend my almost sister in law's bachlorette party. We will be sitting by the pool, drinking wine, telling stories and cooking dinners. I can't wait to just hang out with adult women, (get some sleep!!!) and celebrate. This weekend really couldn't have come at a better time.
And then when I get home, we get to flip the calendar to a new month, take a deep breath, and pray for (a lot) more Patience and Grace.
Now if you will excuse me, someone is fighting, someone is crying and I need some more coffee.
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| Help us! Mommy has crazy eyes! |
Have a great weekend, and don't forget to put your kid's put pants on before leaving the house.
26 comments:
Ugh, I'm sure the fighting is just a phase, but what a HARD phase it is. My kiddos fight seemingly all the time, and you described it perfectly (no *I* said that word louder!!) - it is so maddening and I have not found a good way to keep my patience. Glad you will get a break this weekend, hope it rejuvenates you!!
Oh girl, I'm dealing with this already with a 3 year old and 14 month old and have my husband by my side. I seriously CANNOT imagine it with three and doing it alone. I had an epiphany yesterday. Chloe did something to make Drake cry and I barked back, "he's probably scared of you because you yell and hit him." As soon as it came out of my mouth I thought shit...she could be scared of me for the same thing. Now full disclosure, I don't hit my kids..but I have swatted at her hand more times than I care to admit these last few weeks when she's been pushing and hitting Drake so much. I almost cried when I realized my kid could grow to be 'scared' of me. It is so hard. So so hard to be our best every day and it doesn't mean we are a failure if we fall short. You are doing an amazing job with your three boys. Enjoy the heck out this adult weekend away. You deserve it. :)
A few months ago Trenton and Charlotte got in a fight over which one of them had the stinkiest poop. Seriously?!?!?! I've lost count of the times that I've asked my mom what I'm doing wrong. Maybe I'll figure it out one day. But until then, I'll do what all other moms with crazy fighting kids do - try my best. Have a fun weekend!
You are doing such a great job, and with 3 of them by yourself. I only have Charli and she tests my patience more than I wish to admit and some days all I want to do is curl into a ball and cry (and I usually do), and then I think I'm
About to bring another little human into the world soon and can I handle it... And then the next day comes and the pure love in my heart for her is ridiculous and I know I'm doing the best I can and it will all be better! You will have an even better weekend with the girls with everything going on! It will be the perfect break! Have fun!
You're perfectly normal for being impatient! This post actually makes me feel normal! What can ya expect with 3 kiddos (boys at that) without a second set of helping hands?! I always say that the last 2-3 hours before bedtime drag on the longest. You're amazing, and you're doing such a great job! Sending some prayers for patience and some easier days ahead for you, mama!
I'm sure the fighting is just a phase. I hope they grow out of it.
I thought this might be my favorite post of yours at the natty light and a cigar part. Then, I read the rest and confirmed this is most definitely my favorite post of yours. Have fun this weekend, and I personally don't EVER put pants on my girls in the summer :) Dresses for toddlers, onesies for babies. So I wouldn't have even batted an eye if I saw Wells out without pants! Keep on keeping on <3
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! Have a great (and much deserved)time this weekend!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get some much needed time to relax!
Oh mama - I always wonder how you do it all and still look so damn adorable. Truth is, nobody would be able to take on all this right now and you're still doing better than 97.4965% of the population. (I'm a CPA, so you can trust that statistic).
Oh Kate, as you know I can relate to your fears for your husband's safety during his deployment, but I can not imagine what it would have been like with kiddos. I think about you all often, and say a prayer for your husband's safe return whenever I think about you all. May this weekend bring you rest and relaxation. Sending lots of love, prayers and happy thoughts your way.
I feel like I've been losing my patience faster this week and I only have one! God bless you with three and doing it on your own right now! Hopefully it's just the summer and that they are getting a little sick of each other. Keep trying... It's all we can really do :)
Hang in there. You're doing an awesome job. Enjoy this weekend for sure! :-)
23 minutes!!! I know the feeling. I don't know how you do it, but you seem to be doing an amazing job! I can only imagine how you feel on most days hanging on by your little thread. I pray for you everyday and will continue to do so. Hang in there my friend...wine is coming!!!
I know the feeling, but you are doing an amazing job! Seriously come over and hang out whenever. It takes at least 23 minutes to commute here, so that kills some time. :)
Whatever. Pants are optional when you're under five. :) Best wishes to you mama. My boys have been driving me CRAZY this last week too. I can relate soooo very much!
I am realizing more and more that my kids are mirroring me. Scary. as. shit. No one mentioned to me that parenting would highlight my every flaw and then broadcast it to the world because HELLO! These little people like to talk a lot and they blurt out the most random things to strangers. Thankfully the strangers here have no clue what my kids are saying, but yes, when I yell at Sam to stop yelling.... I realize that I have more work to do. My kids fight all the time. Over everything. Lego pieces, who gets to touch THAT CAR (omg we have eleventy billion cars), who touched who in the stroller, who gets to wear that dirty sock, etc. If I survive the 3's and 2's simultaneously, I will be SO VERY THANKFUL. Praying for you, and hoping you have a fun time this weekend!!
My brother and I fought like cats and dogs from the get go. We get on well now lol 29 years later. This too shall pass.
They are adorable! :)
I hear ya on the fighting- my girls have been fighting about everything lately and it def tests the patience!! I feel for you not having the husband support after a long day :( hang in there, you are such a good Mama and that is all those boys will remember, how much fun they had growing up! At least that's what I tell myself after trying days :)
The Good Fight is right. I've been feeling it this week. The lifestyle is draining at this point. I mean, my dogs are looking at me like, "I'm bored and lonely. I'm going to make sad faces and claw at your legs until you give me the appropriate attention."
So I can't imagine 3 little boys.
Husbands should be home every night.
Oh mama... I think you are doing a great job. The boys get food everyday, have a roof over their head and know they are loved... I'd call that a win with the husband gone. Be proud cause you are kicking butt and taking names with this deployment. Enjoy your break you definitely deserve it!
One of my favorite quotes floating around Pinterest is "Behind every great kid is a mom who is pretty sure she is screwing it up". I have to say in all these adorable photos you post on the blog, your kids look genuinely happy. That is saying something. Siblings fight. I'm not sure why. I ask myself all the time regarding my own. I'm sure they are best of friends as well. Just keep keeping on (and praying). You have a lot to balance right now! And you are doing great!
I think you handle it all like such a champ. Please don't say you are falling short...because that means I'm failing miserably! I totally understand those never-ending moments. I can't even count how many times this summer I have looked at the clock and been truly shocked that it's not even 10 am yet! And yet, as a whole the days, weeks, months seem to be flying by, no? Anyway, hang I there girl. An enjoy these couple of days "off"!!
Amen, sister. Our biggest conflict in life is who gets to push the button in the elevator. For real. And, my kids are 6, 8 and 13. (The 13 year old couldn't care less, but that 6 and 8 year old have drawn blood.)
Me and my brother fought like crazy growing up and hated each other at times but we are the best of friends now and I'd do anything for him. Your boys might have their moments with each other from time to time but I can promise you they will always hug and make up and be the best of friends for life!!!!
Isn't that the cycle of parenthood? One week your child/children are angels and then another week, they're complaining/bickering about everything. Please don't be hard on yourself. Sibling rivalry (and especially bickering) is completely normal. I think it's amazing that you've been able to dodge this for so long. Your children love each other for sure, and you're the best mommy out there. Seriously. They are lucky!
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