Bad Parenting Moment

Published on March 31, 2006 By Ms Mitchell In Humor

I am not a perfect parent. I try. I am acutely aware of my short-comings. I offer my children the choice--either go to therapy now on my tab, or deal with it later and pay for it yourself.
OK-So I was having one of those mind-numbingly frustrating conversations with my 13yo. It went something like this:
"Why can't I?"
"Because A B and C"
"But why can't I?"
"Let's review--because A B and C"
"But Why?"
"Why do you ask of you aren't going to listen to the answer?"
"Why Can't I?"
At this point my 15yo blasted 13yo in the face with a spritzer bottle and said, "Bad Dog, No Bark!"

I probably shouldn't have laughed.

Comments

Tova7

on Mar 31, 2006

Ah that doesn't sound like bad parenting to me. Good on your 15 year old, see now that is something I would do as a parent......

I thinking parenting is HARD work.

I won't pay for therapy though....they can tough it out just like the rest of the world!

Hang in there......

just john

on Mar 31, 2006

I enjoy reading you!

lifehappens

on Apr 01, 2006

you are awesome.

JillUser

on Apr 01, 2006

I would have laughed too...that was hilarious! At least it sounds like the 15yo got it. Maybe you just need to hang in there and let time do its thing for the 13yo. Teens are way worse than 2s!!

Buddah Moskowitz

on Apr 03, 2006

I echo these sentiments - parenting is a hard job, and stepparenting is no picnic either. And, you're a great writer.

My 15 year old is a lawyer, you need to say everything precisely to him, with no ambiguity at all or he will look for the loophole and exploit it, and then blame me.
He, however, can be as inarticulate as he wants and I must decipher him.

Me: I asked you not to tease your sister.
KC: You told me not to talk to her.
Me: Ok, then that means don't make faces and point at her.
KC: I can't laugh?
Me: No. Don't laugh. Don't smile. [which leads to the ridiculous edict] Don't look at your sister!

AngelaMarie88

on Apr 03, 2006

I offer my children the choice--either go to therapy now on my tab, or deal with it later and pay for it yourself.

Hey, not a bad deal! I wish my parents had some foresight to offer me those options. I'll keep that phrase in mind as my son becomes old enough to grasp how messed up we are too

Ms Mitchell

on Apr 04, 2006

Thanks. It ain't for the squeamish...

MasonM

on Apr 04, 2006

I woulda laughed too.

You have more patience than I do. I don't normally care to repeat myself.

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