Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Thump Boom Bang

It's hard to be a kid in these rainy northwest winters. I should know. I remember playing Lincoln Logs until I'd fall asleep on my parents shag carpet most rainy winter days when the game of "watching cars drive by on the street" got too boring.

So it should not be any surprise to me that on days like this, when the weather can't decide if it wants to rain or snow and then, after a lengthy battle complete with freezing ice pellets, finally decides on rain, that my kids get cabin fever.

Otherwise known as: Drive your momma crazy til she pulls all of her hair out and drowns her sorrows in a fifth of vodka she has tucked away in the very back of the freezer.

Are you familiar with it too?

So I corral them. I speak to them in a voice I hope does not sound like the adults in a Charlie Brown cartoon, and I ask them to "just calm down a little, okay?"

And ten minutes later we are right back where we started. I'm ready to pull my hair out.

This weekend the kids stayed with my parents for one night (cue the harps and the hallelujahs). When we arrived the next day to pick them up they were all playing (at the same time) together in their bedroom. One was coloring. One was making a playlist on the computer. One was reading a comic book.

They were all quiet.

I left them there and helped my mom in the kitchen. Just like any 2 women in the kitchen, we start to visit. We talk about this and we talk about that. We slice some tomatoes for a salad and take things in and out of the oven. She tells me how good the kids have been, how there has not been a single cross word or scuffle.

You know, the same old same old.

But it isn't.

It's not the same.

I don't know about you, but my kids do not act this low maintenance when they are at home, with me. I know, I know. I've heard the "kids always act better for other people than they do their own parents." And somehow, hearing this is supposed to make me feel like I'm raising them right. Like I'm doing my job. Like I have nothing to complain about.

But it doesn't.

I want them to be this way for me, when we're home.

I want to be able to drink a cup of tea (not vodka, I was kidding about that part...a little) and read a book or do whatever without hearing thumps and booms and bangs when they are all in one of their rooms together. I want to be able to prepare a meal without shouting, "What are you doing up there?" Fully expecting someone to come to the top of the stairs with a bonk on the head or a bloody nose.

[Yes, I am aware that I'm whining.]

I want them to be nice and quiet. Just like they are when they're at grandma's house.

I don't want to hear, "We're playing hide and seek in the dark and Roy (the dog) is it."

How long until spring?

14 comments:

Ali said...

52 days.

Ashley said...

It can't get here quick enough.

My kids do the exact same thing. I have no solution for you, I just ask that you share the vodka.

Kellan said...

YES - me too!!!! Mine are the same exact way - better for everyone else!

Great post, Carrie!

Kellan

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

What you want? Will never happen. Just in case you thought it might. Sorry.

monstergirlee said...

This happened to me the first time when my boy was almost 3. I left him with a neighbor to deal with a crisis. When I picked him up 2 hrs later all I heard about was how polite and well behaved he was - HUH!??? my Boy? Yes, it is good to know you're getting through to him, but why does it have to be such a stuggle 24/7 at home. Ah!

so what like.... about 2 months?

Julie H said...

get them all Ipods and cell phones with unlimited texting :O) They might not be old enough for that yet though lol.

Jen said...

My kids do the same thing and it is so INFURIATING!! If you ever find out the secret behind this inconsistent behavior, you know where to find me. Please find me and let me know.

The Coffee Lady said...

Oh, my mother is just so SMUG about this.

Anonymous said...

Someone who met mine for the first time told me "He was SO polite". I laughed hysterically. Yes, I might want to keep some gin somewhere close by.

Daisy

Tami said...

I thought my kids were the only one who played hide and seek with the dog!

Anonymous said...

Well, I for certain am not smug.

1) there is vodka in MY freezer, too

2) we just don't tell you EVERYTHING, you know

but, you did make me lol!

Wish OUR dog would play hide & seek, but he just follows us around.

xxxooomom ( Not "SuperGrammie")

Anonymous said...

It's the crafts that are killing me. The bits of paper on the floor, the stuck on glue, the stress of managing to have the *right* pictures up on the corkboard at the *right* time, to avoid the comparison counting of who's getting more gallery time/space than the other . . .

That and our playroom is in the front porch, with is insulated for three seasons. Unfortunately, none of those seasons are this one - the longest one.

Sigh.

OHmommy said...

Oh gosh Carrie... great minds do think alike.

I was just wondering how long it was until spring too!

Momisodes said...

I'm "X"-ing off the days.

Oh, and my best friend babysat our daughter last month. She told us she brushed her teeth, dressed herself and put HERSELF to bed! Next time, I'm installing cameras.