Joys and Concerns

In church, we are always encouraged to share our happy and sad moments. Today was one of "those" during which I had both.

I went directly from school to my hairdresser's for a hairscut, then directly from there to pick up the children from the other grandparents'. Ryan was dead asleep when I got there, again. It took some doing to get him awake. (He doesn't wake up happy.) Grandpa Phil joked him out of his surly mood...but then said something about how he would never catch up to Robin in age. Apparently that set Ry off. He kicked a chair over and was made to pick it up. We got to the front stoop where he shoved me. I nearly fell off the stoop. I grabbed him by the coat collar and got in his face and yelled at him never to do that again. All that netted me was a scowling face that lasted the whole way home.

By this time, I was kind of honked off. I had done NOTHING to him to warrant the treatment I got. Things settled down at home for a few minutes. Robin went out to play and Ryan had a child's pushbroom to sweep leaves. At one point, I saw him dash off with the broom and assumed there would be trouble. (I went to the bathroom, having had no opportunity to take care of that little item until then.) Then I heard him come in crying. I asked three or four times what the problem was, but got no answer. When I came out of the bathroom, he had kicked over the computer chair that had my jacket on it, and was kicking my jacket and the once-contents of the pockets around the living room. When I demanded that he pick the contents up, he threw it. When I then demanded that he hand it to me, he crushed it. I lost my cool! He went to his room until he could control himself.

He came out while I was cooking supper. Spongebob Squarepants somewhat saved the time. He was entranced, as was Robin. Then Meg came home, and the rounds started all over again at supper. (sigh) I felt bad because I vented on Meg. I'm sure she had hoped to come home to a happy household. (double-sigh). So did I!

On another note, Ryan is reading! He is excited about it, which Robin isn't. Whatever life brings, we will deal with. It's just tough to do all of that on the deficit of stressful days. The little dude is sharp. We have always known that. Now, if we could just control the tantrums...

One of my students today made a point of telling me that his mother was born the year after my first year of teaching. Okay, I said...so what's your point...that I'm old?? I am beginning to think that it's time to retire, for sure!