The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Yesterday was terrible.  Really terrible.  It was one of those bad parenting days that makes me question all of my discipline methods.  I've watched Super Nanny and read lots of parenting books.  I know that children behavior problems are a product of the parents modeled behavior and discipline plan.  So, it's really my fault.  How could I have let it come to this?  Really?  These can't be MY kids?

But, first, let me back up and tell the whole story...

Friday was great!  Book week ended with a dress up day.  Lily decided to go as Fancy Nancy, but not the Christmas one as I had thought.  She wanted to be Fancy Nancy from the Bonjour Butterfly.  Here's her picture just before we left for school.

She had a great day.  There were plenty of other Fancy Nancy's there too, which made her feel good.  One of her good friends was Fancy Nancy from the Posh Puppy book.  So cute.

We picked up a couple of books from the book fair.  The Little Girl and the Tiny Doll is a very sweet book and just perfect for Lily's reading level.  It's not a chapter book, but it looks like one and is rather long.

There are pictures on every page.

Friday after school we swam and played with some of the friends from our condo at the pool.  We had a good time.  It's actually a little cool here.  I don't feel like swimming.  It's warm, but only 80 to 85 degrees F, so not too hot.  When it's overcast and breezy, I can feel a little cool.  The kids want to swim no matter the weather.  It was even raining a little on Friday, but I think that makes swimming all the more fun (no lightning, so no worries).

Saturday morning, the Steelers were playing!  Scott knew the game was starting and he was feeling kinda sad about not being able to watch it.  So, he checked and through NFL.com, if you live outside of the US, you can subscribe to ALL of the games!  He was very excited.  He subscribed and put the game on, with headphones in.  Happy Scott!

The game was over by 9:30 am and so we decided to go to IKEA to finish our home set up shopping.  Our first trip there, we got beds and kitchen dishes, etc.  The things we could think of that we would need every day.  This trip was more about home organization.  I needed somewhere to keep the toys.  We needed a shoe organizer for the front door.  Hand towels.  A book shelf for the kids books.  Things like that.  The kids LOVE play land so, they were happy to agree to go.

However, things did not go as planned.  Last time, we were the 2nd people in the door at IKEA.  This time, we got there about 1 1/2 hours after it opened.  Big mistake.  We took a number for checking the kids in at SmaLand....  They were serving number 68, we were number 145.  UGH.  

We thought we'd go eat lunch and then see where the numbers were.  We got our food, and then there were no tables available.  So, we stood around our food trolley and ate lunch.  Checked the number at SmaLand, they were now serving number 75.  Sigh.  This isn't going to go well....

We headed into the store, kids in tow...  I have to say they did great!  We checked SmaLand a couple of times while we were shopping and they were not even approaching our number.  Scott checked one last time just before we got to the self-serve bulky items.  We thought it would be great if the kids were there playing while we got the big stuff, checked out and arranged for delivery.  They were only at 130 and in the 10 minutes of waiting only got to 131.  So, Scott gave our number to a sweet family that had just arrived and had number 238 and we continued on our journey.  The kids were pretty good.

We took a taxi home and then rested up.  We had evening plans!

We had plans to meet up with Wes Graff and his wife Kristen and their two kids.  Wes and Kristen have been in Singapore for 5 years.  Their boys, Wyatt and Vaughn are almost exactly the same ages as Madeline and (my) Wyatt.  We had such a nice visit with them.  The kids were very well behaved.  They all got along great.  They watched movies.  We enjoyed ourselves very much.  Wes and Kristen had tons of wonderful advice for us.  We stayed late!  It was almost 10 pm when we got home.  The kids were up so late!  We texted for a taxi and it was there within 3 minutes and then we went straight to bed.  Exhausted.

So, now it's Sunday morning.  The kids are up at their usual time (hint... not enough sleep = terrible kids).  The morning started with whining, hitting, taking, not sharing, cries and fits.  Delightful!  We were totally out of milk and fruit and bread.  We could get bread downstairs... but not milk and fruit.  We ate a little of what we had and then got ready to go to the grocery store.  

Meanwhile... I tried to do Lily's hair.  We were in my bathroom, where there is a step so that Wyatt and Madeline could reach the counter to brush their teeth.  Lily stepped up on the step, me "Lily, get down, I can't see the top of your head when you are up there", Lily does not get down.  Me, "Lily, get down."  Lily does not get down.  Me, "LILY!"  Lily, gets up on tippy toes.  UGH!  CHILD!!  

Brilliantly, we decided that Wyatt needed to start potty training today.  So, Scott talked him into wearing big boy pants to the grocery store.  Hmmm...  Well, at least I'm not doing it alone.  Better bring a diaper and a change of shorts, just in case.  We head out the door.  There are intermittent whines and cries and pushing and not listening all the way to the train station.  We get there.  The kids run ahead once we are underground.  They run so far ahead and turn the corner that we can't see them (this is not allowed!).  We catch up.  Wyatt is standing in a puddle.  Of course.  The train is coming in 3 minutes.  Scott and I take Wyatt aside and change his clothes.  The girls are very aware of the coming train.  It comes and goes and we have a constant running commentary on the happenings of the train.  sigh.  Please just be quiet! 

We go down to the train platform and now we have 7 minutes to wait for the next train.  I think it was the longest 7 minutes ever.  Scott and I look at each other.  Are these our kids?  Ugh.  This is not a fun day.  So, I say, let me take them home.  This is only going to get worse.  Can you do the shopping?  Just be sure to get milk, nothing else matters that much.  He agrees.  Just as the train is arriving, I leave with the kids.

The walk back is stressful and frustrating.  Wyatt will NOT hold my hand.  Lily keeps giving me dirty looks!  I declare:  You will all go to bed when we get back.  You will all nap.  Surprisingly, the girls don't fight it.  Wyatt will NOT agree.  But, he's 3.  Three year olds never agree.  The girls go to their beds as soon as we return and after a little convincing, Wyatt does too.  Finally, peace and quiet.  

Scott gets back a little while later.  He brought me sushi!!  We enjoy a sushi lunch together while the kids sleep.  It was a wonderful break.  Peace.

The kids are up a little while later.  The complaining and whining and fighting and not listening continued until bedtime.  Scott and I felt completely used up by the end of the day.  

I remember feeling that way almost every day.  It used to be that I had to count the moments that were not that way.  Now, it's a remarkable thing when I have a day like this.  Does it mean that I'm winning overall?  I certainly felt like that kids won this one.  I have to remind myself that the goal is to not let them get me upset.  I need to control my reaction.  Kids are going to test boundaries and my patience.  It's their job.  Mine is to let them, but remain firm and calm. 

It's a new day.  I have a new sense of purpose.  Today will be a better day!

Did you know that Waldo's name in the UK and Australia is Wally?