Comments on: The Dirty Darkness of Parenting

By: Mamalooper

Mamalooper — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:56:16 +0000

Three is MUCH more of a challenge than two – they are more like little “big kids” than big babies. I know that for me patience is the biggest lesson of parenting – one that I keep learning over and over again.

If you can get out for a bit, even to go for a walk alone, do it. I need alone time to recharge (do you?) and if I don’t have it, my fuse is definitely shorter.

Mamalooper’s last blog post..Off for a few days up north…

By: Haley-O

Haley-O — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:40:19 +0000

Aw, sam! This is all so normal. Especially with a new baby. You’re tired. It’s hard. And, Connor is going through a lot and extra defiant. I KNOW. I totally relate. We had an AWFUL day today. I’m writing about it now….

Haley-O’s last blog post..What NOT to Say or Do

By: BigGirl

BigGirl — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:34:12 +0000

It sounds like we’ve all been there. I’m going through the same episodes w/ my busy 2 year old. Everything is “no, mama, I not.” I not, going to put on a pull up, I not going to put on clothes, I not going to swim class, I not going in the market with you, everything is I NOT, I not, I not. And last week, I broke. I spanked her tush and made her cry. And then I cried. It was a very ugly moment and one that I am not proud of and one that I will remember forever. Vividly. It’s burned in my memory and from there I will learn to move forward in a direction that works better for my daughter and me.

When I feel that frustration build up, I breath and have a quiet moment in my brain before I react. It’s been hard but I’m learning. We all are. Good luck and thanks for sharing your moment, it makes other mother’s feel more human and less like we’re the only one.

BigGirl’s last blog post..A Quick Survey…

By: RookieMom Heather

RookieMom Heather — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:49:07 +0000

Yes, I’ve been there (recently) and yes it really sucks. I grew up with spankings here and there but no wooden spoon and sometimes think how that system was somehow clearer than whatever it is we’re doing now.

I catch myself wanting to squeeze H’s lips shut when he screams in his bed (and his brother is trying to sleep or actually sleeping) or force his little body onto the potty and I HATE feeling that I might use my power over his small body in a way that makes him scared.

Grrrr. I’m probably not being very clear, but I feel you.

RookieMom Heather’s last blog post..Buy one less thing

By: mamatulip

mamatulip — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:42:11 +0000

I've been there. Many times. It sucks. mamatulip's last blog post..When colour swatches lie

By: Brenda

Brenda — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:21:27 +0000

oh hon…I totally understand. I’m with you just about everyday now. I don’t want to make you feel worse…but it doesn’t get much better as they get older. In fact, I’ve never felt that way about Ryan until this past year. I’ve never wanted to be one of “those” moms that yells…yet I do it everyday, and everyday I feel like a horrible parent. And Kyle…I NEVER in my life thought I’d feel the itch to hit a child..until Kyle came around. How horrible is it to want to sometimes smack a child who is under the age of 2!! Yeah, I’ve been there hon. I know exactly what you are feeling. Honestly, I think any parent who says they don’t understand is lying. This mother gig is HARD.

But in the end, it’s all so worth it. I sometimes watch them sleep to keep my feelings in check. Such angels.

(((HUGS))) Hang in there Sam. You are doing just fine!

Brenda’s last blog post..Kyle’s check up

By: Mrs. Schmitty

Mrs. Schmitty — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:48:58 +0000

Oh Sam, you are not alone. The other day, my 4 year old daughter had pushed me yet, again, to the brink. I picked her up, stared into her face, and wanted to slam her down. I, of course, didn't. I put her down and walked into my room. I closed my door and cried. It's a scary feeling but I believe most of us have been there. Mrs. Schmitty's last blog post..Proof That I Am A Reincarnated Adolescent Boy

By: Shania

Shania — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 02:15:08 +0000

My oldest son was born in 1985, when it was still the norm to spank. Thankfully, I made it through without hitting him. Oh, but let me tell you! I wanted to sometimes. Still do, but at 22 years, and 6’3″, it’s probably not a good idea.

By: blissfully caffeinated

blissfully caffeinated — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:27:13 +0000

Oh my, do I know exactly that feeling. I have snapped in screams more than once since my second baby was born. And I have actually spanked child # 2 because she had her teeth locked on her sisters back and we couldn’t get her off. We all cried. Me, my husband, the kids.

After a childhood of spankings, I also decided I would never resort to physical punishment, but under extreme circumstances, that is what happened.

I feel tremendous guilt over that situation and every time I yell at the kids. I imagine we all go through this, but it doesn’t help to know that when you’re in the middle of one of those days.

No answers here, just solidarity.

Take care.

blissfully caffeinated’s last blog post..The One Where I Talk About Blankets

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:15:21 +0000

Oh boy have I been in this situation. You’re so not alone. I’ve, unfortunately, yelled at Samantha many many times. It seems as I get older I also lose patience faster. It makes me feel like crap but at that precise moment I forget it for a minute and yell. And then regret it after. I know my parents yelled at me and spanked me and, good thing is that I hardly remember it and I love my parents so I know that Samantha will be the same. Doesn’t help the guilty feeling I get afterwards though.