3. Write a blog post inspired by the word: change.
My son got mad at me for helping him with his homework because I asked him to describe the mountain ranges he read about and told him to come up with something different when his descriptive word was “mountain ranges.”
He also got mad at me for asking him to bring me the mouse for my computer that I let him use whenever he is home since he broke the mouse for the kids computer. Why should he bring me the mouse when I can get up and get it myself?
He was frustrated at me for “not trusting” him to sleep alone in the room with our foster kittens even though I explained that it’s not him, but the playful kittens I was concerned about keeping him up all night. So I gave up and let him sleep in there and he didn’t make it through the night.
Did you know I’m SOOOO annoying? Well I am. I am so annoying because I made my son put underwear on before going to school after he was already dressed without underwear.
I also have some nerve to offer $5 for him to clean a messy playroom because who wants to clean or be helpful? But even worse is that I rescinded the offer three days later when he wanted money for a video game and offered to clean an already clean playroom for the same $5.
He “wants a new mom” because I would not allow him to watch a “Top 5 Characters on Roblox” video at 10pm on a school night when he should have been sleeping already an hour ago.
And you know what else? How dare I? Who do I really think I am that he has homework to do everyday? I’m not entirely sure why that one is my fault since I don’t teach the class or assign the homework or collect the homework, but somehow me being around to remind him to do the homework is unforgivable.
I keep waiting for some phases to burn out, some corners to turn, some growth and reflection to happen. I keep waiting for something to change in that boy where a light bulb goes off and he’s like, “You know what? Thank you mom. For still loving me so much and more than anyone in this world could possibly love me even when I’m being particularly unlovable. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I appreciate it and I love you too.”
But it’s taking a damn long time. I’m beginning to think Maile’s parenting method might be my next best strategy:
John Holton says
Every boy thinks his mother is a pain in the ass, and also wouldn’t want anything to happen to her because he loves her too much. Hang in there, you’ll be happy you did.
Gigi says
Be patient…it’ll happen. It will take until he’s in college or later but it will happen.
Abby says
That Maile – she’s gonna be a good mom!
The light went off for my sons when they went to college and lived with slobs. One actually even told me, “Now I know why you got so mad about other people leaving messes for you to clean up!” – That alone was worth the tuition.