Just like that. It came out of my mouth. Horrible. And really, with a little perspective, it wasn't horrible. But I certainly wouldn't say "amazing" or "don't end" with my summer. My kids have just been nearly unbearable this summer.
Or is it me?
Am I doing this parenting thing all wrong? Am I doing summers all wrong? Are my kids just at a weird age where nothing is fun, everything is boring, and they only want to bicker, whine, and compete? All I know is that I've had enough! Back to school with the whole lot of ya!
I don't want to have this attitude. I don't want to shush-shush my kids out of my house until they are 18 and then all of sudden say to myself - "Crap! Come back and be little!" I really want to embrace them now, enjoy the little moments, laugh with them, make memories, etc. But man, it's nearly impossible when someone is constantly complaining.
I remember feeling this way a few years ago and needing to get a handle on my emotions as a parent and learn to like my kids better. We took some steps forward, but this summer has certainly set us back.
One out of three is happy!
Ellie is not thrilled at the Omaha Zoo
Favorite horrible moments:
- First trip to Omaha Zoo. Kids only wanted to go the hotel to swim and complained the ENTIRE day at the Zoo until it closed and we took them swimming. 2nd day at the zoo wasn't any better, they spent the ENTIRE day wanting a stuffed animal from the gift shop.
- Note: Take kids to local hotel pool and buy them a stuff animal at local shop. Savings = $400
- Beautiful Iowa summer in July with very little humidity and temps in the 70s & 80s! This doesn't happen -- ever! My kids are sitting inside, huddled around a 6" tablet screen fighting over who's turn it is. I suggest they go outside to play and they say, "It's too hot out!" Excuse me?
- Note: Take away ALL screens. Forever!
- Relinquish my plans for the day to take begging kids swimming. With swimwear, smelling towels and a bag full of crap we arrive at our local pool to find it closed. We head to another pool -- spend $20 to get in (b/c we don't have a season pass here) and they want to leave after 30 minutes because it's too cold.
- Note: Swim only when it's 90+ out and the water is like a bath tub.
- Get pestered by children to go for a bike ride. Gather all the gear, make sure it's ready to ride (like brakes and tires and such) ... go about half mile and then everyone is too tired, legs hurt, thirsty, bored, and I'm pretty sure "dying" was in there too.
- Note: Anything that requires my children to "work" is not fun. And as good as I can sell, I can't sell that. Fun is rides and candy. That's it.
My favorite amazing moment: Spending 3 glorious days with my husband and without my kids in New Glarius, Wisconsin. I saw (and smelled) animals on the farm where we stayed at a B&B. There was no pool or cute souvenirs. The weather was warm, close to 90 and we had no air conditioner. We didn't even look at a screen. Part of my "vacation" was working -- catering an event for 300 people and it felt great to work hard and then treat myself to some playtime afterwards. It was all very fun.
Oh, to teach my children these lessons of life. And hopefully before they turn 18 and I can enjoy them.
High Trestle Trail Bridge -- surprisingly we made it with no whining, and only a little bit of fighting
