That Day

Not every day can be filled with glorious, "I love being a mother" moments. Some days, such as this one, suck. They suck with epic proportions and send me Googling for summer-long sleep away camps suitable for a 3-year-old.

Some days (also this one) make it extremely obvious that I'm a shitty mother who is "faking it until she makes" only I'm "faking it until failure" at which I think I've arrived.

My usually sweet, mild tempered, smart little boy has been a complete Devil today. A playdate with his declared "Best Friend" including hitting, shoving, toy stealing, and food stealing. The playdate ended with Caden being dragged down the street by me promising to put him in Time Out. Which I did.

He screamed and cried until I told him he could get up, and then continued to scream and cry until I carried him, which I could not because I was feeding Adele and getting her ready for a nap. Needless to say the screaming and crying lasted nearly an eternity.

With Adele safely sleeping, I tried to explain to Caden why he was in Time Out and why his behaviour was wrong. He then handed me some jell-o and a hammer and said "Good luck!"

Not really, but he might as well have. When I ask questions such as "Will you hit your friends again" and he answers "Yes" it is clear he Does.Not.Understand.

After making him a PBJ sandwich, because the Hellion was hungry, I went upstairs to do something. All the while I'm listening to him cry, "I don't want water, I don't want water..." over and over again. Moments later I hear a thud.

Water.All.Over.The.Floor.

I asked him what happened, he said he knocked it on the floor because he didn't want it.

I promptly presented him with a towel, a few stern words, and highly recommended he start cleaning. He (and I'm totally not kidding) threw the towel on the floor, said "humpf", folded his arms, and turned away.

Come Again?

Caden Dragging Part II ensued as I brought him up to his room.

After a phone call to Shawn and several more days of crying (ok...not days but it sure felt like that) I went back up there.

He is currently watching Madagascar on the couch, despite my taking his TV away. (he told me he wanted a movie, not TV).

Clearly, I'm a shitty mother.

But, how does one discipline their kid when the kid clearly has no friggin' clue that they have done something wrong or what that something may have been.

I don't want to be the mom who is abused by her kid.

I just want my 2 year old back. He was so sweet.