Let me clarify a few things....
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Let me clarify a few things....
| Thu, 03-30-2006 - 8:01am |
First, thank you ALL so much for your advice and for letting me vent!I appreciate all advice- good, bad or indifferent. I know I was acting childish and immature. I guess I didn't realize the impression it was giving to my daughter. I know that sounds silly, but I must say that 99.9% of the time I am the only level-headed, strong, patient one in this house. Everyone else gets to throw their temper tantrums and have their bad days...and I very rarely take up on that opportunity. So, what I honestly felt, in dealing with my daughter, was if you want to treat me like crap, then I'm going to show you how it feels. I KNOW ITS IMMATURE!!! But, I do feel that she needed a reality check. Plus, I feel that she needed to see that I, too, am a human being- I'm not absolved of all basic human needs and wants just because I happen to be a mother. Does that make sense? She is a great kid, and I know that she is doing exactly what she should be at this age. Believe me, I was a very, very unruly, bad kid....at her age. So, I know I'm lucky! As for the sleeping in my bed? Nah, I don't see that as a problem. My DH isn't here at night, and I have a huge bed and I can distinctly remember how afraid I was as a child growing up in a huge house with all kinds of noises and such. I am still afraid of the dark. Last night, at 3 A.M. I awoke to my daughter pulling the blankets up around me and giving me a kiss on the forehead. So, she still loves me :) We are very close and maybe that is why I do take things personally with her. But, again, I know that I am not her friend, I am her parent. So, last night I reiterated the fact that should she bring home C's on her report card, which, for the record is not because of not understanding, it is just being too social and lazy- long story- but, she WILL be grounded and lose computer privileges. She didn't think I would say it again- like I forgot just because we were getting along again. Sent her into another, albeit shorter, temper tantrum. C'est la vie! Im sticking with it too! So, again, as you can see, I tend to ramble...but thank you all so much for your advice! STephanie

I think just about everyone gets frustrated with those 12-14 y/os at times, I think you'd have to be a rather cold or uncaring parent to NOT get frustrated by their crazy behavior sometimes.