Let That Be A Lesson To You!

Please read my page "I Saw This Today And...", entry date 8/17/11, first! 


Not to be mean, but to anyone thinking they should have any kind of conversation with their child about why they said "no" and also lets them question everything you decide is best for them…relish in it for now but be forewarned that respect is something earned and you won’t realize that you don’t have her respect until he or she is much, much older. I've witnessed this and it’s sad. If that is your belief then I wish you the best and hope it doesn't end up that way for you and your child (aka, BFF). It actually hurts worse to explain something to your child and getting them nodding their heads in agreement and seemingly pickin' up what you’re puttin’ down and then have them turn around and do exactly opposite of what’s been asked of them or completely disregarding your answer to their question all together. It’s like a slap in the face!


The last time I forgot myself and explained my reasoning to my daughter we went round and round until I got so angry (mainly because she found and exposed holes throughout the whole diatribe as to why I said no) that I started screaming like a rabid chicken (haven't you ever heard one before? It's screechy and awful) at her.  See, it actually takes a lot for me to lose it like that but once I do...EVERYONE hits the deck, up to and including Zoey the Laser Puppy!  Well, I don't know what my husband does because everything goes black except the tiny pinholes I can see through to who I'm yelling at only...he's there, I just don't see him.  I yell things like "GIRRRRLLLL, YOU JUST TICKED OFF THE NICE ONE UP IN THIS JOINT!  ARE YOU TOUCHED OR SLOW, 'CAUSE I THOUGHT YOU WERE SMARTER THAN THAT!!" Or I start listing off everything I do for her in a totally incomprehensible voice that only fruit bats can here.  This is about a one-time (two tops) a year thing but last time it got to that level I was yelling while leaning over her and, right hand to Jesus, I spit on her!  I SPIT on my kid!!  Needless to say that diffused the situation; I was mid-word when the spit landed almost right between her eyes and I whipped my head around, still bent over her and asked my husband "did...did I just spit on my kid?!" "Pretty much" he replied...like he's never spit on her before...<snort>...please.  Great.  That's just freakin' great...I need to say something and split before I lose my crazed mom look and the only thing that came to mind was to say "Let that be a lesson to you!" as I poked the air to bring home that profound warning.  Really Barbara?  Really?  In my defense I had stopped thinking clearly 20 minutes prior to the spitting incident and I'm fairly certain she didn't hear anything after something went splat on her face...it's like a bird flew overhead and let one go as they do on your freshly cleaned windshield.  I'm starting to think I should keep some type of log of all the things I've done that could possibly cause mental issues with my daughter...I mean, if it had just been that time we decided the best day to put our last dog down from old age was on her birthday...


A few things you should take with you, if anything, from this post:


1.  It's best to go with a straight-forward and blunt answer when dealing with children.
2.  Do not let your child rile you up by pointing out loop holes in whatever it is you say to them...it's just not cool.
3.  Last, but quite possibly the most important...never lean over someone to yell at them because something will fall out of your face and the laws of gravity do NOT have your back.