We clash so much, this boy and me, and yet we are so much the same. We had a big skirmish in the middle of Home Goods on Tuesday, when he became highly offended over something I said as a joke. At least I thought it was a joke. He did not. We are fine again, but we couldn't help noting ruefully that had his dad been with us, the tiff would never have happened. His dad would have told us both to "knock it off."
I love and adore my son and am grateful that after our verbal skirmishes, we are usually able to talk about it and clear the air. A therapist told me this is a very good sign. I am also glad he has his sister to go to when I am driving him crazy. I could go to her, too, when he is driving me crazy. She always seems to understand, and is a gifted mediator, but I know it's not fair to make her our referee. So I go to my husband instead, who just sighs and says, "You two."
Parenting never ends.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, so I am learning!
DeleteElizabeth is right.
ReplyDeleteMs. Moon, no doubt.
DeleteThat sort of tiff reminds me of long-ago times with Alice and me, and look what happened there. But in the meantime, I'm glad he has his sister and you have your husband and feathers can be patted down for a quick and quiet return to comfort. There's so much love in your family.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, you cannot know how much hope this gives me! You and Alice had one of the most loving mother-child relationships I have ever witnessed, especially because you were both so much yourselves with each other! I hope I will be as lucky with mine. Thank you for this, dear one, and I hope you are doing ok over there, even as you mourn the loss of your wonderful mother. So much love.
DeleteElizabeth is right, yes. Mine are 32 and 29 and I'm finding that out. And my mom is 85 and she's still parenting me. Now there does come a point when you don't NEED to do it, but apparently after that point, you may still do it anyway!
ReplyDeletejenny_o, i know what you mean. i loved it most of all when my mom parented me when we were both fully grown. she was always my wisest counsel. xo
DeleteIt's precisely because you're so much alike that you clash. Don't you think? And it's a sign of your closeness.
ReplyDeleteSteve, you're right of course. We both acknowledge it too. Both of us anxious control freaks. Both overly verbal. Both impatient. Oh, there are good things too! He is super responsible and capable of working through any problem involving research and calls to multiple electronic phone menus. He's like me in that too!
DeleteOur children are our greatest teachers.
ReplyDelete