Running Red Momma

My daughter didn't want to put away her clothes. I told her I would do it for her if she paid me five bucks. She immediately got her birthday money and the deal was sealed. The thoughts/questions go through my head: Oops, that wasn't what I expected. I have those oops moments more than I would like to admit. Am I cheap labor? Does my daughter not get the value of money? Did she learn anything?!!! What a bum. Come on girl, what are you going to be like when you are a teenager? Oh well.... that money will go towards my more expensive hair products that make me feel guilty.

I experienced a frustrating day with my toddler a few days ago. Time outs, choices and feeble attempts at humor did not convince her to dress. Instead, fear and brute force won the day.  As I agonized and guilted over my decision as I gave the play-by-play to my sister, she asked me if I tried being fun. I have been a mom for a while.  This is one area I cannot do.  I am careful to be educational, act firm, be loving and hard-working, not call names or yell, but dammit do I have to be fun?!!!  This is a too painful reminder of my many years of teaching high school.  I could use every strategy I knew, reward systems, group learning, investigations, projects and so forth but gosh darn-it I wasn't fun.  The former yahooo basketball coach could do the same crap day- in -day- out with a dose of insulting humor/fun; he was still considered a cool teacher. The sad thing is, I didn't know I would be an unfun grown-up. I thought I would be fun and silly. But I don't think I am.  I s...

For the last year my daughter and I have been locked in a battle over lunch.  I refuse to pack a lunch for a smart, capable elementary aged child.  When I do pack her lunch, I give her an extra job to do around the house. However, this has just given me more items to finish on my nag list.  So, I got an idea from my brother-in-law; pack a nasty lunch.  This morning I was almost gleeful to set my evil plans in motion. As I skipped to the fridge, I wondered what disgusting adult food I could give her.  I snuck out the creamy fruit parfait and chocolate brownie.  In their place, I put in a berry-fruit jello combination which she hates. I gave her a few cold, somewhat greasy twice-baked potatoes.  I ended it with some dry wheat bread and an apple.  The genius of this plan is so fun.  I am giving her food.  Hence, the school will not purchase a lunch for her.  I am not creating more nag items for my daughter. Instead, I am giving her the powerful example of action without words.  When I han...