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Home > Blogs > Adventures in Motherhood > Archives > 2010 > November > 09 > Entry
Mom’s recharged batteries quickly depleted
Grandparents are special people. I still enjoy spending time with my grandparents - I learn so much from them.
I enjoy watching my children build a relationship with their grandparents, too. It makes me feel all warm-and-fuzzy knowing the love they have for each other is like no other.
However, after a few days with Memaw and Grandpa, my children need some serious reprogramming.
God bless them for giving my husband and me a break, but wow, it’s like coming home to “Hurricane Iwantitmywayrightnow.”
Naturally, I think my parents enjoy this bit of drama we have to endure upon our return (something about “I hope you have kids that act just like you did.”).
“They never behave that way with us,” my dad reminds me with the hint of a satisfied grin while the boys’ demands to know what we brought them.
Grandpa and Memaw retire to their bedroom for three weeks of sleep while we tell the boys (again) that “we don’t speak Whinese at home.”
This time our “mental health break” lasted four days. I anticipated the need to reprogram the boys, but our 14-month-old daughter? Really?
We left the Princess, a sweet, lovable little girl and returned to a walking full-steam-ahead Toddler of Tantrums.
I was told: girls = drama, of course, I didn’t remember this because I never acted in such a way. (Right, mom?)
Despite her newly acquired ability to walk, Princess wanted to be held immediately and absolutely refused to be put down, lifting her feet and screeching when she came close to the floor.
“How sweet,” I thought. “She missed me.”
My husband and I coddled her at first, giving in to her little cries - after all, we missed her, too, and “she’s the baby.”
When bedtime arrived she went to sleep with little fuss. However, she seems to know exactly when my head hits the pillow because she was wide awake screaming for “Meeemeee!” at just that moment.
As for her going back to sleep anywhere other than in mommy’s arms? Forget it.
Within seconds of sneaking out of her room, she was awake screaming, kicking the mattress and throwing her binkies.
I tried to let her cry it out, but the diva was demanding (and I didn’t have the energy to cope with tired, cranky boys who were awakened by their sister all night).
In less than 24-hours Mommy went from rested and recharged to batteries-depleted.
It’s flattering, but exhausting, to be missed.
Email this contributing wrier at Motherhoodcolumn@yahoo.com.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Motherhood Column
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By Randy R
November 9, 2010 10:50 AM | Link to this
Thanks Sandra — They missed part of my original comment. I thought the word double might have been enough of a hint to catch both errors.
By Sandra
November 9, 2010 9:45 AM | Link to this
The folks at DDN need to know that a lot of people believe that if it is written in the newspaper it must be correct. My question is: What is the definition of depleated?
By Grandpa
November 9, 2010 9:10 AM | Link to this
Darci, After raising two girls with my wife (my fault, producing girls, according to geneticists), I recieved a Grandson from one of my daughters. I “trained him” as I did the girls…AKA: proper behaviour, dicipline when needed, more love than a human could stand. As a little boy is the exact opposite of what I was used to, (raising girls), my learning curve took me back to me being a little barbarian when I was little. After a few days with “Grandpa” (& Grandma), my Grandson understood proper behavior (IE: what he could get away with). My daughter commented upon his return that he was much more well behaved, and talked that he and Gramps “were buds” (buddies). I was tempted to let him run wild, (“revenge” for the girls occasional errant behavior growing up) but didn’t want the wrath of my daughter to be unleashed on me for not diciplining him, if needed. Set the parameters of behavior, and all falls into place. My Grandson & Grandaughter love visiting us…they get away with “good” bad behavior with us. All it takes is a little “tug” on the leash, a smile, a “look”…and all is well. HA! You must’ve been a pistol when little…are your parents reminding you of your previous behavior? Revenge is sweet, sayeth The Grandparents!!!
By Randy R
November 9, 2010 8:46 AM | Link to this
Does the DDN need a good headline copy editor? I’m available. This would have been a J-School double “F” grade!