Step Mommin ain't easy
I lost my cool with a 7 year old last night. I broke down in tears, and let her know that if she and her brothers didn't smarten up, I'd be packing my bags and taking my daughter and I back to our own home.
So inappropriate!!
But, I lost it. After 2 days of being screamed at, kicked, cleaning up pooped in pants, temper tantrums, and just flat out insolence, I had just had enough. My daughter was in tears because all she wanted to do was sleep. It was 9pm, a school night, a long weekend, and everyone was tired. But, my boyfriends daughter, the 7 year old, decided she wanted to sing. She wasn't ready for bed, though my 8 year old daughter was. The girls share a room, and my daughter was in tears. She just wanted to sleep. And here I am trying to reason with a 7 year old who just wants to sing..... and I lost it. I sat down beside my daughter and cried too.
I understand what's going on. I get it. It's the terrible 2's stage of this relationship with me and the kids. They are used to getting away with an awful lot, because their dad had pretty much given up on disciplining the small things. He jumps in to action for the big stuff, which I rely upon. But the small things - like singing at bedtime, picking up laundry off the bathroom floor, hanging up coats instead of throwing on the floor, etc. Those are the little things he chose not to fight. But, those little things make more work for me, so I insist upon them. But I'm met with such resistance. Dad doesn't make us do that....
He backs me up, supports me, thank GOD! But, still, the kids push. They test. How far can they fight back and get away with it? They are learning, but I feel like I'm going through the terrible 2's with all 3 of them at once. I know it will get better. I know they are testing their limits. Testing me. It's all new, and I insist on things that dad didn't..... it's a lot of change. Suddenly dad has a girlfriend. She moves in. Things change.
It'll take time, and there will be melt downs along the way. And I keep reminding myself that this will pass. I just hope I can maintain my sanity till it does!