Knock It OFF!

I need some parenting help. ‘Cause one day soon – my inside voice [which is screaming Knock it OFF!!] – is going to rip into a child*. The jealousy and competition for attention after-school is seriously wrecking my days and driving me nuts. I steel myself everyday at 3:55pm; shuddering and breathing deeply knowing the battles which lay ahead.

They yell over each other. Grunt. Push. Close doors. Stomp. Huff. Make fists (which gets a great reaction out of me “excuse me?! What are you DOING?!. I go from a perfectly good mood to I’m- gonna-smack-somebody-straight-into-next-summer** at 4 o’clock. Everyday. Every. Friggin’. Day. You could set your watch to it. “Must be 4 o’clock; Thing 1 & Thing 2 are in UFC mode”

I’ve tried speaking softly. Time-outs. Special one-on-one time. Snacks. Playing. Hugging. Getting angry. Getting understanding. And now I’m just left with being pissed off. (I’d like a nicer, more penned word…but I search my emotions and vocabulary…and pissed off is the only and true correct term for how I feel). I am so DONE with 4 o’clock.

What is with sibling rivalry? They don’t do it with my prince. Wouldn’t even dare. But with me it seems it’s all GAME ON. The whole attitudepalooza we’ve got going on — I’m DONE.

So help me blog, I’m considering adopting them out***.

Update since writing this…funny how the whole energy of misbehaving kids change when Mommy gets really quiet. Instead of yelling, directing or moderating — I became quiet. A kind of quiet which must have spoken volumes as the kids tried very hard to get back in good grace. Tucked them into bed with a kiss and saying I love you. The * and ** and *** – well, it’s the tired talking.