We all know that parenting can be hard. There are good days, there are bad days and then there are those in between days.
I’m not exactly sure when it happened, but as of late it feels like I’m talking to the wall when it comes to my kids. I’m not certain if it’s their ages (7 and 4), but listening has almost become a thing of the past.
On numerous occasions I honestly feel it would be more worthwhile to record myself and push play so that it just repeats on its own. Because that is how I feel; I’m constantly repeating myself over and over like a broken record.
And I know it’s not just me but likely every parent’s situation at one time or another.
My oldest is like me and can’t do two things at once. If he’s focused on one thing, there’s no getting his attention. If the TV is on and there’s a meal in front of him, it’s impossible to eat. If he’s in the middle of doing something but I need to talk to or ask him a question, he can’t hear me. So I ask once, get no answer and ask again and again, and so on and so on.
My youngest, who’s the most independant of the two, just goes and does his own thing and pays no attention to anything else. So when we do try to get his attention, it’s close to impossible. He tunes out and the repetition starts. Like if we need to leave the house but he wants to continue to play he doesn’t listen. We ask, no answer, we ask again and again and so on and so on.
It’s totally selective listening. They only hear the things they want to hear. We give my kids a treat on the weekends and allow them to fall asleep in our bed with the TV on. We will tell the kids what time to turn off the TV and they’ll nod in agreement. We do our goodnights, leave the room, and literally within seconds we hear “what time do we turn the TV off”?
Are you serious?!?
And to top it all off there is the attitude! Whoah! I can’t get over how my 7 year old acts sometimes towards me. If this is a window into his teenage years, well, just pass the bottle now!
People always say little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems. So there really isn’t ever an easy time is there? I just want to ask my kids if they know I exist! Do you hear me kids? Are you there kids? It’s me, MOM!!
What ages are your kids and do you find you have this battle too?
xo
D
