Parenting

Harlie is continuing to do great with her feedings. It is SO different to be able to give her a spoonful and see her eat it - just like a normal kid. I am just as excited as I was last night. But for some reason I lack the energy to show it appropriately.

It's probably because Murphy took a lot of my energy today. I took the boys to the gym with me and when I picked them up, Murphy didn't have his shoes on. They wear socks only in that room. Anyway, we were in the lobby of the gym and I told Murphy to put his shoes on. He made the least amount of effort possible, and whined that he couldn't do it. The problem is that he likes his crocs, and he's gotten lazy at putting on tennis shoes. I've helped him, and shown him how to put on his $%#$@#$ tennis shoes more times than I care to admit. I guess that seals the deal - he's no genius. Anyway, I told him we weren't leaving until he put on his shoes. I guess he didn't want to leave. My threat wasn't threatening enough. Yeah, 25 $%#$^$ minutes later, and he didn't even have A shoe on!!!! Cooper was hungry and tired and it was getting past his naptime. The people that work there at the front desk were watching the whole thing. Probably judging me as a mom. It was a really fun moment.

I told him that if I helped him put on his shoes, he was in BIG trouble. You know, the problem was his whole "not trying" attitude. I can't stand it! He was putting absolutely NO effort into it and I knew that we were never going to leave. So, yes, I helped him. Well, that's not true. I put them on for him - very roughly. And then tied them as tight as I possibly could. He didn't seem to notice. Ugh.

Anyway, he was sent to his room to sit on his bed and do nothing else but think about how he didn't try (how long do you think he thought about that?). I fed Cooper, put him in bed and ate breakfast so I could cool down. When I went to check on Murphy he was sleeping. When he woke up I made him go and get his shoes. I told him he could not wear his crocs again, until he could successfully put on his own tennis shoes. Then I made him put on his tennis shoes (which he did in less than one minute, now that we were home and not in public). Then I made him untie them and take them off. Then I made him put them right back on. And we repeated this numerous times. And he was not allowed to watch one minute of TV. Later, he had to practice again.

By the end of the day, he put on his own shoes without an issue. BUT AT WHAT COST TO ME???? Well, I hope I did the right thing. I didn't beat him, which in itself should speak volumes for me. Why does spanking have to be so taboo now a days? I remember my parents making me go and get a switch. Granted that only happened, like, once I think. (What can I say, I was a good kid). But still... Parenting is so freaking HARD!

And speaking of that... tonight I was reading Harlie some books at bedtime. I went to read the third one and she only wanted to look at the first page. Then she threw the book across the room. I - being shocked and appalled - told her we don't throw books and I won't read any more books to her if she was going to be rude like that. To which she signed "night-night" to me and promptly laid down on her bed and rolled over. Well, I guess I told her!

Good night and good luck. To all of us parents.
~Christy