Braving Boys

Summer 2010

Someone asked me the other day how my summer is going, and I responded that’s it’s going great, because most times, it’s pretty darn swell. We stay up late, sleep late, and we’re dabbling in piano, tumbling, and drama. We’ve been to the beach, the pool, a few lakes, a movie, and we’re headed for football season come August 1. What’s not to like about a flex schedule, plus all sorts of fun stuff? OK, so my boys don’t love my mandatory reading and writing, but it’s not that much, really, and I think they might even secretly like it.

So, yea, summer is going great. But it’s not entirely peachy and, so, it seems only fair that I confess another truth about these 70 unstructured no-school days:

My kids are making me crazy!

Here, my friends, is what is driving this momma mad:

Stop it, Joey! Stop it, Danny! Stop it, Joey! Stop it, Danny! All day long.

Can we get a toy? Can we get a toy? Can we get a toy? Buckets of cars, trucks, Lego, action figures, Webkinz and more are stuffed into our playroom and boy bedrooms, but there is apparently still a burning desire for one. more. Ben. 10. Guy.

Do I hafta? Do I hafta? Do I hafta? Do I hafta go to the pool? Do I hafta ride my bike? Do I hafta go outside? Aren’t kids supposed to like this stuff?

Just a little bit longer! Just a little bit longer! Just a little bit longer! Just one more TV show, one more Wii challenge, one more computer game. Who exactly bought all this electronic gear, anyway?

Then there’s the whole issue of listening. Sometimes, they do it. Most days, is seems, they don’t.

At risk of sounding like a whiner, I’ll stop there. And I’ll morph this post into something positive.

Yesterday, I asked my Facebook friends for a little insight. I wrote in my status update:

Why is it that my kids can be so perfectly behaved for other people but so rotten for me?

Sixteen comments came spilling in, several of them claiming “love” as the answer.

Huh?

Yes, love. The general idea is this:

You’re “safe” Jacki; they know that you will love and forgive them no matter what! Other people — they’re not so sure, so they are going to behave the way you’ve taught them to. / Melissa

What perspective, and just what I needed. Now, I’m not saying they won’t still push my buttons, and I won’t ever yell so loud I give myself a headache, but I really think this is going to help me. When they behave for others, I’ll know they really are listening to all I’ve taught them. When they misbehave for me, I’ll know my unconditional love for them is what allows them to display the raw and uncut versions of themselves. It’s no different, really, from how we all act — a little better in pubic than in private.

OK, this may sound a bit strange, but thank you, Joey and Danny, for your misbehavior. I had no idea how well I was loving you. And now that I know, I think our summer days might get a little bit better.

And no, I’m not buying another toy!