So today… It was not my best day.
Have you ever noticed how whenever you are having a bad day, your kids totally flip out and act crazy. Or maybe that’s just my kids, but whenever I’m not brining my mommy a-game to the table it’s like they can tell, and they act like lunatics as a result.
I’m not talking a mild tantrum here or there. I’m talking about my two year old silently opening the fridge and dumping half a gallon of milk into our carpet. I’m talking about just moments after getting out of time out for the milk incident I look over to see him whacking his sister in the head with one of my (soft) winter boots. For real kid? For real???
Yes, this was my day. Chaos, impatience, naughtiness, hoping my carpet won’t forever smell of spoiled milk…. Just a typical day with toddler right? Wrong, it’s normally chaos, but this was a whole new level of crazy, even for my kids.
So what’s a mama to do?
I did the only rational thing to be done in this situation. I loaded them in the car, and took them to the park. for two and a half hours. We legitimately stayed there until it was time to get ready for bed. Because sometimes, being at home just isn’t working. Sometimes, leaving the house as soon as physically possible is the only solution (and the only way to have a hope of the carpeting surviving until we move out of our apartment). Sometimes you just need to abandon the messy house to it’s messiness and go somewhere fun.
So we hid. From our own house, and as the nice fall air embraced us I slowly felt my sanity return. I laughed with them, where earlier I wanted to cry at them. We had fun. The kids got dirty, and tired. I was able to bathe them and put them straight to bed with no more time-outs, no more lectures or harsh words. Just fun for them and peace for me.
I’m so thankful for the gift of the park, for days when we have to hide from our home.
Have you had to hide from home recently or do you have a kiddo who has spilled a gallon of milk? What’s your craziest tale of things your kiddos have spilled or ruined? :)
Looking for more in the Confessions of an Imperfect Mother Series? Click that link to find all the titles in the series thus far!
Mel Caldicott says
Paula, I know those days so well! I love how you have described so well the frustrations you felt but then how being outside and having fun together was tonic to your soul.
Love how you always tell it like it is – such encouragement.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Alessandra Ferguson says
Such a good idea! I’ll have to remember that!
Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods says
Oh yes. Although one of mine has never poured milk on the carpet, there have been days when I’ve gathered them up, shuffled them in the truck, and driven… somewhere.
Here’s to hoping tomorrow is a better day! ;)
Amarie says
My daughter tried to play “Barbie At The Beach” on my hardwood living room floors one time. Needless to say, we had a LOT of mopping to do.
Visiting via SITS. :)
Teressa says
ha ha…
I probably would of screamed and then got in the car to go shopping .. NOT buying but shopping.
I’ve been having lots of days like this lately.. Today I thought I was doing good, and then right before night time diaper he peed on the floor! the joys of motherhood.
Sarah @DomesticFemme says
Sometimes you just have to hit the reset button and get away. I can’t think of anything that our kid has broken, but there have definitely been moments along the way, where I’ve reached my fill. Happy SITSShareFest!
Becky says
Oh my goodness…what a nightmare. You definitely handled it well though. Kudos to you!
Becky :)
Aprille @beautifulinhistime.com says
I loved this post. And yes I have so had those days where I had to hide from my own house. I love the park!!!