they can make me crack up or feel like I'm ready to crack...

Yesterday brought one of those low moments in parenting- when you're brought to tears because you feel the world crashing down on any hope you had of being a "good" parent... when your child is the only one falling apart at the end of a birthday party, screaming her head off and all eyes are turned on you... when your child gets caught up in yet another conflict with a neighborhood child regardless of your past instructions or guidance... when your visions of the future are clouded with continued struggles and challenges that differ from the "average" child.  I was down in the dumps for sure, and I have worries about what I'm observing more frequently in one of our children's inability to control emotions.  My extreme thoughts just kept repeating: "Why can't my kids just be like other kids?!"

Oh yes, woe was me.  I think I'm feeling a bit calmer today, but I'm not going to lie- it's hard being the parent of the extreme children.  Whether there's a diagnostic acronym to explain the child's behavior in place or not, it's never comfortable to feel the eyes of others when your child is in the midst of an uncontrollable fit, even when you're surrounded only by friends.  The next few years will bring many changes to our family, and I'm curious, and undeniably a little terrified, to see how the younger children will manage these changes. 

So, I could continue to write away my sorrows, posing questions about what I should be doing while I'm again in an extremely unsure phase of my parenting... or, I could simply try to get through this day and find something to giggle at.  I've had a notepad document on my desktop last month in which I was recording funny things that came out of the kids' mouths, and it seems like just the right time to remind myself that it's not always so challenging.

Without further ado, here are some much needed giggles:

Red, playing trains, says to herself:  "We're going to Tootington!"  Says to me: "Did you hear that?  Tootington?  It's a place that toots a lot- get it?  TOOTington!"

Pudge, playing with cars/trucks:  "What is this truck called?"  Me:  "Hmmm, I don't know. It has a long piece like a crane, and it has a hook."  Pudge: "I know!  It's a hooker!"

Pudge, talking about being a "Pudge Daddy" someday and wanting me to be his kid,  Me: "You have to find a person to be with when you're a grown up, and then you can have kids together."  Pudge: "No, I'm just going to pump you down a little and then you'll be my kid."

Red, after looking at one of Justin's books: "Hey Mommy, I have a diary.  And I have a wimp.  Ha ha!"

Red, after telling her that we're going to read a book called Monsters Eat Whiny Children, Me: "Do you know anything about that?"  Red, in an uber-sarcastic tone: "Yeah yeah, ha ha ha.  Like me.  Yeah, ha ha ha, I'm going to get chomped up."

JAM, in his pre-teen affect, about a dozen times a day: "I know, right?" and,  "No offense, but..."

Red, talking about why we don't watch commercials: "I know, I know, they make me want to buy stuff.  But I remember about all the toys I have and I will survive."

Pudge, simply out of the blue:  "When I'm a daddy, I'm going to like beer."

Yup, this parenting gig sure can make me feel as successful as a slug at times, but thankfully there are other times when humor and laughter outweigh the worry and tears.


Trying to stay positive,