It started yesterday, which should have been a warning to me. Tuesdays always suck for some reason. My son, Z, came home from pre-k with his winter coat literally safety pinned together, because the zipper broke. I thought I repaired it when we got home, and he wore it normally this morning when we left for school. When I picked him up it was zipped to the neck, with all of the zipper prongs below undone. He looked like a movie stereotype, Mexican gangster, in one of those thug flannels. And, it's cold, and were walking. No carpool today. But that's skipping the rest of the morning.
Little background here. I'm not a morning person, neither is Z, and neither is Rory, our puppy. Z is also getting over a nasty cold. Mucus everywhere, tantrums, and general acting out all morning.
My wife leaves early in the morning and our usual routine is that he comes to bed in the morning with me. He can have his "tiny screen", a kindle fire, to play games or watch cartoons, while I try to sleep another hour or two. Not today. Today he suddenly didn't know how to work the Kindle, go the the bathroom, or do anything without a long winded, incoherent, toddler speech. So we got up early.
Next came Z's issues, combined with Rory The Dog issues. Z wanted to play with Rory, Rory didn't want to play with anyone. When that happens, Z gets frustrated. Starts yelling at me and the dog, throws dog toys at the dog, hits the dog, and hides from me because he knows that behavior is unacceptable. I told Z that if he didn't stop, Rory was going to bite him, I'd let her, and I wasn't going to kiss any boo boo's.
Then it was time to get ready for school. I didn't put enough jam in his cottage cheese. Tantrum. I chose the wrong socks. Tantrum. I picked the wrong pants. Tantrum. I put Rory in the backyard. Tantrum.
So I went out to bring the idiot dog back inside before we walk to school (no carpool today). Our yard isn't that big, but has anyone ever tried to chase a small dog, breeded for herding? I damn near just left her out there to be cold and hungry. When I did get her inside, Z was upstairs. He emptied a box of tissues all over the place, because he knows Rory will eat them, and it's bad for her. He also pushed a chair down the stairs, because he knows he's not supposed to move furniture. Last phase of leaving for school was two tantrums. He suddenly couldn't keep his gloves on properly, and he didn't want to wear a warm hat. He had to wear a ballcap because I was wearing a ballcap.
Jump to pre-k pickup. His coat zipper is totally useless (read above), his ballcap is missing, and he's pissed because we're not carpooling with his best friend. Walking home I asked him what he wanted to eat when we got home. I gave him a bunch of options, all of which he said both Yes and No to. Get home and he doesn't remember what food he wanted. And, because he's whining, tired, and has a cold his responses were unintelligible to me. Tantrum.
Home. Eat. Toddler nap. Mommy comes home. Now we have to get ready for my friend (T) coming to stay over for the night. T is Z's godfather, and I've known him for almost 30 years. I'd already handled the kitchen, and some of the straightening around the house. Still to be done is setting up a guest bed, cleaning the bathroom, and finishing the straightening before T arrives and wife and Z go to bed. Somehow, while wife and I finish, Rory found some tissues to eat, and Z ran the toilet paper roll from the bathroom to almost his closet.
K goes to bed. T arrives. Me, T, and Z hang out for a bit. Day is over.
Let me be clear. I love being a stay at home dad. I don't always know what I'm doing, but it's the best job I've ever had. Sometimes it's frustrating, and sometimes I want to jump out of a window. But, it's rewarding beyond compare.
@procm2 also suggested I send out advice or tips out to other at home parents. The truth is, I'm forever trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing. But here's my 2 cents.
1. Follow my parent friends on twitter. I'm @JasonJoelSmith , just scroll though my friends, posts, groups, and connections. They know more than I do.
2. Be patient. I don't know of anyone that got an instruction manual with their kids.
3. Stock up on your favorite alcohol for those moments when you get a moment of quiet time.
4. Parenting advice and $2.00 can get you a ride on public transportation. Only YOU know your kid.
5. Don't forget to eat.
Thanks for reading as always.
Good night, and good luck,
-J
No comments:
Post a Comment