Thankfully every day has an 8:00 p.m.!!!
I am so exhausted. Mentally. Physically. Spiritually. Emotionally. It was one of those days that makes me question my parenting skills. It makes me wonder if when God was doling out patience, He skipped over me. It makes me wonder what I need to do to change the constant battle that I go through (especially with Ella) dealing with bad attitudes, disobedience, and just life. I guess she’s 3. And Aidan’s almost 2. ‘Nuf said!!
It was so draining, in fact, that at one point I sat by the table almost in tears with this rock in the bottom of my stomach wondering to myself where I’ve gone wrong and if my kids are going to end up horrible and if I’m screwing them up beyond all repair (oh, the melodramatic side of me comes out!). So much so that I ordered not just 1, but 4 books on parenting, grace and guidance through these years. Oh yes. That is desperation. And it’s PMS. I’m probably going to get my books and wonder what the big deal was. 
Hi Erin,
Sorry your day was hard. I wish I would remember that other people have those days too when I feel like that - that would make me feel more “normal”. I am SURE you haven’t scarred anyone. You are a wonderful mother. Keep hanging in there.
Love, E.
Comment by Elin — March 15, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
Hey Erin
Must be one of those weeks!! It is comforting to know that you aren’t alone in this, we all have those days…all we can do is the best we can and then pray pray pray that God will work in their lives!! They will turn out wonderful, you and Jer are GREAT parents!!!
Love ya
Louise
Comment by Louise — March 15, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
erin. i think the difficult day stretched to many different boundaries. i had a hard day too.
hope today is better for you. love you
shalom.
Comment by Ruth — March 15, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
Erin, Sorry your day stunk yesterday. I have those. When you yell at your kids and get mad and let your anger control you instead of the other way around. I have a three year old boy and he just started the whole defiance thing and I’ve been losing it a lot lately. How do we deal with this!!??!!??!!??!!
Comment by Dedee — March 15, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
Hey erin, i had a rough day too yesterday. Maybe it was a full moon(that’s what we’d always say at work). God is bigger than our screw-ups.
love rach(raja)
Comment by Anonymous — March 15, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
erin, youa re af bulous mom, tommorow is a new day, new mercies, new grace, and if they aren’t showing up give me call and drop the girls off for a hour. We run a little booyt camp at my house …hee hee hee. By the way read my last blog entry and maybe you will feel a bit better.. hugs to you
Comment by svea — March 16, 2007 @ 3:06 am
Erin, besides the fact that your kids won’t remember these bad days I hope you’ll remember that although God gives us these babes to train and grow and shape to become awesome for God, he also gave them a will just like us. They are excercising these wills now and it’s about power. You’ll see it in all kinds of ways - I see it in Katey in more ways than just arguing with me. I found that if I can keep in mind that it’s not just against me that she’s always fighting but for power and control of her little world, I can be firm in my parenting and less frustrated. Hope today was better and tomorrow will be awesome….
Oh yeah, you know why you should give me a book on april 1? Because as I told you at school, I’m your favorite aunt, I love you, I want your Captain’s and the Kings book or your To light a Penny candle book (which one was it?) and I love you and your Dad and grandfather think you look like me and I love you and I’m your favorite aunt and I love you and well, you get the picture…
Comment by Kathy — March 16, 2007 @ 4:27 am
erin, just remember that we are not perfect and that it is ok to make mistakes, it’s just hard for us to admit those mistakes but that is what makes us human and who we are. you are a great mommy! will u tell us what books u got? (i will admit to buying a lot myself)
Comment by it's me, Val — March 17, 2007 @ 9:49 pm
OH, I can so relate to this post. In fact, all I had to do was read the title and know exactly where you were going. I love 8 p.m. too!! Know that you’re not alone! I have so many of the same feelings (mine are 2 and 4 months!)
Comment by amelia — March 19, 2007 @ 2:24 am
Hi Erin. I don’t have any kids (yet), but I know what it’s like to have a really bad day. Thanks for being so candid and blogging about what 99% of all women (not just mothers) probably feel sometimes.
Hope you have a great week!
Comment by Mel — March 19, 2007 @ 3:11 am