It Has Begun

The neighborhood pool has been open for six days and my boys have been there at least four times.

Although this looks lovely and relaxing, it didn't last.

It was a struggle getting there as Big Boy had a meltdown about his brother and friend not being "friends".  Then, it was a struggle leaving the pool as Big Boy refused to get up from his sunbathing pose.  

I had taken out ground turkey this morning to thaw for tacos, one of their favorite dinners.  On the way home, I was told, "Here is the deal: we are having pizza, not tacos and we will have pizza tomorrow night and Saturday and Sunday.  I promise I will listen to you the first or second time you ask and will I still get Skylanders for my birthday if I'm good?"

How did this happen?  Where did my inquisitive, cute, kind little boys go?  

They got into a fight within ten minutes of returning home, capped with a round of door slamming.

The deal making needs to stop.  The demands need to stop.  The begging needs to stop.

We (I) need caring, compassion, consideration.  

I'd like this to be aimed at me, but I'd take a little showing towards others, too.

149/366: It Has Come to This

I have had it. 

This Catch 22 has been consuming my patience of late.

I LOVE that my boys have neighborhood friends that spend time here, or come over to get them to play.  I really do love it.  I recall all the nights and after school talks with Big Boy and how he didn't seem to have those close friends that I had growing up.  The lack of friends and connections with others was heartbreaking.

I LOVE that all the kids enjoy being here.

What I don't care for is this:
1.  Bring your manners with you.  Please and Thank You are so important and would make me so much happier and less irritated with your presence. 
2.  If you are hungry, ask me.  Don't help yourself to snacks in the pantry and don't eat in the family room.  You may eat what I provide at the kitchen table.
3.  Don't ring the doorbell when we are eating.  Granted, we eat at all different times of the evening, so it may be hard to know, BUT if I send you home at 6:26 so we can eat, ringing the bell at 6:38 is not acceptable.  And sorry to the other boy that got the brunt of my frustration when I answered his ringy dingy at 6:42.

The sign goes up tonight.