There Is No Such Thing As Bad Luck
July 7, 2008 There is no such thing as bad luck.
Just shitty timing.
I am plagued with shitty timing.
Ask me how many times I have pulled into ANY Starbucks drive-through without the car in front of me going at that exact same time?
NONE. Zero. Zilch. Because the dumbass car in front of me is ALWAYS going where I am going. I could be going to Supermarket, or McDonald's, the point is someone is always in front of me pissing me off making me wait. And I hate to wait.
That last statement may sound a little snobbish, but I am not a snob, what I am is impatient. I used to have a zen like ability to not get pissed off at anything. But then I had kids. And I would have to say that my zen like nature flew out the window with my first contraction.
It is the stupid crap like always getting stuck waiting for the train to pass. Or missing the arrow to make the left turn on the busiest intersection ever, which then causes me to watch the hair of my legs grow waiting for it to turn green again. It is in those times of just waiting that my boys are screaming their heads off in the car making ever last nerve stand on edge.
My youngest hates the car. Screams from the second we get into the car. To the point that my oldest Donnie turned to him one day and said "Aaron if you don't stop crying you are going to make the World explode." Not just the car, but the World. It is that bad.
There are days I don't understand how I keep a thought no less remember my name because I am trying keep my cool. Working four days a week, eight hours a day makes very little room for errors in time management with my boys.
I have become that anal retentive person I used to mock because I now live by a perfectly crafted schedule; and I whimper at the slightest shift. You see, my youngest has to be in his crib by 7:20 pm for the night or else. That is it. Or else. (It is not pretty at all)
Well this weekend, Friday to be exact, I am throwing caution to the wind and accepting my first late night invitation to a friends house for her son's three year old birthday party. The party is from 6-8:30pm. (I know, I am living on the edge, I am such a rebel)
But here it is only Tuesday, and I am stressing over it. I am being steam rolled by a 13 month old. When did this happen? Where did all the years of zen like training go?
When did I get so old? I am stressing over 8:30 pm. 8:30 pm. Am I kidding me? More importantly, when did I become my Mother?**
**I still love you Momsie Womsie.
Reader Comments (29)
We all become our mother's at some point. Just embrace it and move on. Trust me.
I so hear you! Every second past bedtime gets me crankier and crankier. My shift is DONE at 7:30 and I do not want to be a mom until the morning. And then teenagers happen, and they think they should stay up late. And it never ends...
I used to be so routed in Isobel's routine, a few minutes deviation would cause all kinda of emotional catastrophe. I'm thinking I need to go back to that, cuz she was so much...better, then.
I don't think it's a big deal or worth all the stress. A little break in the routine isn't the end of the world.
Also, just curious, how do you get the little one to sleep when it's still light out? And, wow, he must wake up super early.
Since it's summer, we've shifted Z-Dub's normal bedtime from 8:30 to 9:30. This is primarily because there is little opportunity for playtime when it's 110+ outside. We usually go swimming or to the park from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
I have days where this could be me. I was so patient before mommyhood, and honestly my daughter has probably seen the worst effects of this. (i was more fun then too)
hang in there... Not that that helps... sounds shallow and stupid, I know.
Kim, I myself fear that I will try to be too rigid in schedule when I have my little one. Yes, I fear it. Because I know that in the beginning there won't be much of a schedule. And that will kill me! I will be calling you for lots of advice on how to get onto one :)
I think you do GREAT as a Mommy! And I'l be looking to you for even more inspiration in the months and years to come!
No patience at all... I can't stand waiting, I can't stand being late, and my peeps are conspiring against me every time I turn around. (I hate when I change lanes to get around a slow moving car, only to have said car change with me, in front of me and continue to drive slowly.)
Oh this is me...patience...nope. I swear my kids sucked it right out of me when I had them. I wish I knew where it was, but nope, none in sight. Try to hang in there...
~K
We too live and die by the kids bedtime schedule... if my youngest does not get exactly 12 hours 37 minutes she's a tyrant, she's cranky, she's off her rocker... and I want to send her off to live with my in-laws indefinitely.
we have a late party tomorrow. I'm scared. Baby's staying up 1 extra hour is = to me staying up 3 days straight.... who wouldn't be stressing?
Kim, I'm so glad I met you. We could be the same person. Seriously, no matter what time my kids go to sleep, they're still up at the crack of dawn. And my little one is taking FOREVER to stop crying and go to sleep. It's awful, really lousy.
xo to you, it gets better!
My problem is the person who usually beats me to the drive thru window is ordering lunch for the entire office: "NO! That's TWO without onions, FOUR with onions but NO pickles!" That, or they are bringing along Grandma and Grandpa's prescriptions for the quarter.
Um, you so are not whimping out! When Anya starts yelling b/c she is tired, and yeah, that's what she does. YELLS. Then my night is hell. Enough said.
I understand, and think you are being brave for the 8:30 PM party. This Mama of a almost two year old, would be staying home and sending a gift. I say you are doing awesome. At the very least, better than me.
Yea..I have SERIOUS problems as in road rage. If someone won't move in front of me, I better get out of the car, walk over, and SHOW them what a green light looks like by punching it into them.I totally understand Kim, once a schedule is set and it works, I'm scared that altering it will change EVERYTHING...but it's ok. Enjoy the party!
Breathe in... Breathe out. And get a pedi.
Ouch !!! That hurt...did I really stress out about time...I can't remember...hey wait...when did I get old ?????? hahahahaha!!!!
Patience...insert guns and roses song here....just a little.
I never had zen, just a heavy hand that likes to lay into my horn.
I'd stress to. If we actually go on a trip, I'm a mess for a solid week before.
I used to be very schedule oriented. That has gone by the way-side the older the children get at least during the summers. My youngest will be 10. School year... MAJOR SCHEDULED TIME still though.
I will never be my mother! Never never! You can't make me! :p
I hope the party goes well, despite it running late. Just chant to yourself: I am not my mother. I am NOT my mother!!
I love what Donnie said about the world exploding. Awesome!
I can so relate to this - How surprised am I to find out that we are both working moms that work four eight hour days - EVERYTHING in my world has to be pretty scheduled... I really try to be the "go with the flow mom" in our down time, but this is a stretch because so much of our time is so planned. I pray that the craziness and sacrifice of today results in the dreams that we are working so hard for in the not so distant future!
And, yes, I too ask myself on a fairly regular basis - "How did I become my mom?"... I have come to the conclusion that it is inevitable and that if I can become the new and slightly improved (love my mom and she did the best she knew how :) )mom and take all of the good she gave me and mix it with what I am learning in my journey, then I am in GREAT shape!
We deviated this past weekend with bedtime, and I tell you it was holy hell. Sorry if that just made you stress more... but I'd rather tell it like it was than sugar coat it... hopefully the deviation will end up being no big deal. Otherwise, I'll meet you on plurk at 3am.
Deviating from bedtime doesn't have to be that painful -- especially when there's so much fun going on to keep the happiness flowing. My youngest needs routines too but we manage. Here's my two cents for successful staying up late: take jammies, binkie/blankie/lovie with you to the party. Change Aaron in a dim room a few minutes before you are leaving and snuggle him to help him wind down a bit. Then make a quick exit. (Do all your prolonged goodbyes before you go for the jammie time.) This will give him a little down time so that he's not quite as wound up as you start driving. Then maybe he will relax a bit on the way home. Also, don't let him have any cake/sugar if you can help it. Hope this helps. Good luck! It can be really fun.
Oh don't I know how you feel. With twins a schedule became my life, before them I was oh so care free..........ahhhhh will we ever find our old selves again?
Oh, I know how you feel. My patience vanished when I was about 800 months pregnant with my first (ok, it was only the eighth month, but if felt like forever) and has never come back. sigh.
Both my boys (1 and 2) are in bed at 7:00. On the dot. Sometimes earlier if they are acting up too much or missed naps. :) It`s just impossible to survive without that off duty time in the night!
I enjoyed your blog, I am still laughing! It does get better as they get older (sorta) lol.
You go girl. Throw caution to the wind!
Hehehehe. Best of luck!