The 'Other Side'

It is a dreaded time of the school year on the 'Other Side' of the world. Most schools are getting ready for Fall Break. That means parent teacher conferences. I do not look forward to meeting with the teachers. 

I hear the same thing year after year. 'Mrs. Lemons, your child is a wonderful student! What a joy to have in class! Sure, (s)he is struggling with getting (her)his assignments in, and is failing my class, but they have to potential to do great and I just love (her)his smile! 

Every year I have walked away from these conferences frustrated, upset, and deflated. Then I get home and all of my friends have begun posting on social media about the results of their meetings. 'Johnny's teachers ALL said he was a model student! He has an A+ in EVERY SINGLE SUBJECT, and is on the Presidential Honor Roll!'

I don't openly post updates about my meetings. I don't comment on the posts of others either. When I read these posts I feel inadequate. I've failed as a parent, yet again, and am emotional because I am not able to post the same thing. Ever. 

I wonder if parents of Johnny realize what their proud moment does to the 'Other Side' of the coin? It's the same with our babies/toddlers. While other parents are bragging about how Susie was pulling up on her own at 4 months, walking at 8 months, and speaking full sentences before their first birthday, the Lemons mom is reading it and feeling sadness and despair because the Little Lemonhead can't even complete a full sentence and he is four years old. 

I do what I can and I love my kids just as much as the next mom. But, my tear soaked eyes and my hurting heart won't let my fingers respond to your joy.  

Sincerely, 

Mom from the 'Other Side' 

Rice Krispies

I cannot believe it. Why does most everything have to be a battle with kids? I mean, really. I am stuck on this trivial Rice Krispies problem. What started out as a simple solution for an excess amount of cereal has turned into such a pain. It seemed easy...'we have two large boxes of Rice Krispies that are just sitting in the pantry...eat all that we have, then we will buy different cereal.' Boy did I fool myself.

These three little guys have become a major source for a power struggle. Kayla has expressed opposition to them since the moment we discussed it. She feels that this cereal is not worthy of consuming because you have to add sugar and there is no defining way to ensure that you are adding the correct amount. Really!?! Talk about a Princess complex. She has managed to stretch the Frosted Flakes that she has for a week now. This morning, before she would eat she scoured the pantry for another option. Having found nothing she gave in. She asked Chris what he did to his Krispies. 'Nothing? You just ate them?' As if this is such an absurd thing! Then she educates us by announcing that one can make Krispies Treats. She sat down at the table and ate the first spoonful and exclaimes...'these are good'. Whoa.

Then we have Chris. He has made small attempts to avoid eating the Krispies. His attempts have been trying to eat the emergency supply of PopTarts...in case we wake up late...or today, he tried a PB&J. While this is not a bad selection, it is still avoiding the inevitable. I had a discussion with him about trying to avoid eating the cereal. I left the room and came back a moment later to find him sitting at the table with a bowl of Rice Krispies and the sandwich packed for lunch. Oh, I am such a heel. I felt like such a jerk. I told him that I loved him and that he was a great kid no matter how much I complained. He has really stepped up lately and displayed some angelic behavior.

I think I will give this little problem another day. This morning, I envisioned my self shoveling spoonfuls of cereal down the throats of my little monsters...or waiting until they were sound asleep and then covering them in the cereal. Or, force them to eat only the cereal when they complain about hunger pangs. Their attitudes have shown improvement. I think that I will simply let this go for a little while. If they eat them with no protest for a day or two then I think they will be rewarded with the biggest box of the cereal of their choice. Maybe it will help them see that if they don't fight it they will get what they want in the end.