M.O.M.

dadand kids, originally uploaded by brandyvanderson35.

This week I had a major parenting coup, sorely needed after several days of losing my temper and needing forgiveness.

Dinner had just gone in the oven, every counter was a mess, and the kids were at it again. I couldn't tell who had kicked who, who had started what, or why the screaming was going on all at once.

So I asked all three to go to the garage, so calmly they went. Then I threw their coats outside, shut the door, and locked them out. Boy Howdy were they surprised!

Then I started to work with Wyatt, cleaning the place up, and setting the table for dinner.

I could hear them screaming outside. I'm sure the neighbors heard it too. Hmmmm.
Cade: "Ruby, it's all your fault." blah, blah, blah.

Then Jeremy calls. Late again. Home in forty minutes. "Too bad," I say. "The kids are locked outside until you get back."
Jeremy: "What?"
Me: "Do you want to discuss it now? While they wait outside for you?"

Minutes later Wyatt and I are sitting down to a really nice peaceful dinner. "Mom. Yummy," Wyatt says. Lots of sweet, sweet smiles
Me: "Wyatt, I love eating dinner with you in peace. Yummy."

Our peaceful dinner is punctuated every now and then by Ruby dramatics. "Mom, oh mom. You HAVE to let me in. Just ME. Please mom. Please." blah, blah blah. cry, sob, cry, sob.

For a split second I consider letting the crew in. It's dark. It's 35 degrees and they've been outside 15 minutes with another half hour to go. But hey, they have their coats, and I can mentally picture a couple pairs of shoes in kicking motion just before the bannishment. They are not going to die.

Dinner ends. I clean up Wyatt and start to clear our places.

Then I hear laughing. WOW. From the garage. WOW. Then I hear funny voices, pretending to be their dad. "Brandy. I'm home. Let me in." Lots of giggling.

So by the time Jeremy gets home I'm calm, the kids come in politely and then they eat a nice dinner. Wyatt shows me extra loves.

Why can't all nights be so great? My mom always told me the meaner you are, the better your kids behave. She also said she was the "meanest mom on the block."