Tuesday, May 19, 2015

How Parenting Sends My Blood Pressure Up and Down {#TuesdayTen}

I think most moms and dads would agree that becoming a parent makes you feel emotions on a level of intensity that you have never experienced before. The profound joy you feel the moment your child is born, the acute frustration you feel when your teething infant won't sleep or your picky toddler won't eat, and the powerful protectiveness you feel when your child is bullied are just some examples of how being a parent can make you feel all the feelings so much more strongly.

Unfortunately, one of those deep emotions we sometimes feel as parents is anger. Not exactly an "I want to punch you" kind of anger, but more of an "I'm so frustrated/exasperated/fed up I want to scream and pull my hair out" kind of anger. You know what I mean, right? The kind where you can feel your blood pressure rising. The kind where you can almost envision the mercury rising in the imaginary thermometer and you know that, when it reaches the top, you are going to lose it. 

Well, one of the best ways to address that anger is to vent! So, in honor of National Blood Pressure Month (and trying to keep mine in check), here are five things my kids do that make me go berserk:
  1. They Bicker - Sometimes, they argue over the most ridiculous things and in the most nonsensical ways. They can take the most mundane thing and turn it into a reason to fight.

  2. GIFSoup
  3. They Whine - Can I get a high five from all the parents our there on this one?? There are not many things on earth as annoying and anger inducing as an incessantly whiny child. 
  4. They think I'm their maid - My three daughters are 12, 10, and 7. Is it really to much to expect them to put their empty cups in the sink and their food wrappers in the trash? What about putting their shoes and book bags in the closet? Well, apparently it is because those are all things they only do when I nag them to death. And, don't even get me started on trying to get them to cooperate with chores!
  5. They are wasteful - Me: "If I buy this do you promise you will eat/use/take care of it? Them: "Yes, mom! I promise!"   Me: "Are you sure?" Them: "Yes, absolutely!"  Then, they take one bite and decide they don't like it or after one wash the new shirt is suddenly itchy. It's maddening.
  6. They complain about things nobody can change - We all complain - it's human nature. It really gets under my skin, though, when my kids complain about things I cannot control. They complain about the hot weather, or the rain, or the homework their teacher assigned, or how long we have to wait at the doctor's office. I didn't do any of those things and complaining to me about them doesn't solve anything.
Fortunately, despite all the angst they have created for me over the past (almost) 13 years, they also have ways of making all the anger, frustration, and stress of parenting totally worth it. Just as quickly as they make my blood pressure rise, they can bring it back down by . . . 
  1. Making Me Laugh - Why should you NEVER give Elsa a balloon? Answer: Because she'll "Let it go, Let it go!" (You must sing this part to get the full effect!) This is a joke that my middle daughter told me for no apparent reason on a day that was particularly stressful. I had to laugh. How could you not? 
  2. They Give Me Hugs - I don't think any parent can be mad when your kid comes up, wraps her arms around you, and gives you a hug.
  3. They Give Me Compliments - I know that I'm not always the best mommy in the world, but they think I am even when I don't and, once in a while, they tell me so.
  4. They Sleep - Mine aren't so little anymore, but they are still so peaceful when they sleep. Sometimes I watch them for just a minute or two and I can feel myself relax as I  take them in.
  5. They Love Me - It's true that nobody can make me quite as irritated as my kids, but when they tell me they love me or give me a super sweet Mother's Day note, I know they adore me despite all my flaws and mistakes. That makes every ounce of the frustration and exasperation more than worth it!
What do your kids do that drives you nuts? What do they do that melts your heart?

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TheLiebers


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Come link up again next Tuesday, May 26 when we will be sharing our Summer bucket Lists!

The Golden Spoons



25 comments:

Janine Huldie said...

I was so nodding right along at your first list as mine do all of the above. But then I was also smiling so hard on your second list, because as crazy as they drive me, the little things on this list make me happier than one could ever imagine still 😉

Charlene said...

So nice that you have shared some positives, Lisa! They definitely weigh up the negatives don't they! My daughter refuses to have her medicine (antibiotics) - it's hard to watch, and drives me crazy! She eventually has it (sometimes after a reward or bribe is used) lol and watching my kids play and laugh melts my heart! They have a very special bond.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Exactly! 😊

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

My three girls are best of friends AND worst of enemies! They fight like cats & dogs sometimes, but just the other day, my 10 year old was asking my oldest if she wanted her to "have a talk" with a kid who is being mean to her. :-) It was really sweet.

Val Newman said...

Parenting is roller coaster of emotion and blood pressure ups and downs. It's the positives that let the negatives vanish like wisps of useless energy. My daughter leaves her shoes in the laundry room. Sometimes there are seven pairs just sitting under the sink. That's a frustration to me. But the joy she brings makes that frustration evaporate.

MamaRabia said...

I hear ya! My kids have been a little extra good to me winice I hurt my wrist. They aren't doing all the laundry, but they'll fold clothes without rolling their eyes. That's progress!!

Charlene said...

Aww that is so sweet! :)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Mine leave their shoes right in side the front door - they kick them off as soon as they walk in!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Definitely progress! just a shame that most have to be injured to get kids to pith in! 😜

Janine Huldie said...

We aren't done until the end of June here and I know seems like so far off still, but like you I am more than ready and even looking forward to it, too now.

Melanie Stella Wright said...

Our last day is June 16th also and like you, I am so ready!! This year has been a rough one for me as a teacher and my daughter. We need summer asap! :)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Good for you! I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Well, at least now we know we are not the only ones who will be gong for a few more weeks! C'mon summer!!!!

Fil said...

I really feel for you Lisa. I don't have children but I watch parents bringing their kids to me for after school music classes and it often seems that they are meeting themselves on the road. Schools here finish at the end of June and my work year fits with it and I too can't wait to see the back of this year. I hope you feel better soon.

Nina G said...

Yikes sounds like you definitely need a break, Lisa! Especially with the unanswered medical questions. I can't stand when that happens. And I hope that your daughter resolves her bully issue. It breaks my heart when I hear stuff like that happening.


Our last day of school is June 12. I'm not in a rush for it to end because my son actually had a great year in pre-K and loves his teacher. He'll be going to summer camp, so we'll have the same drop off/pick up schedule. But at least no more packing lunches like you said :)

Marcia Shaw Wyatt said...

Oh my goodness, Lisa! It's no wonder you feel exhausted. Simply reading all that you've been juggling lately makes me feel exhausted, too. Hang on though just a little bit longer. The end is within sight and you're almost there! And then I wish you a long beautifully restful Summer. Enjoy! Take several much-needed deep breaths and pat yourself on the back. You've truly earned and deserve it! :)

Charlene said...

ooh exciting!! How long do you break for Lisa? I count down to holidays too - for the same reasons as you! Enjoy!! :)

Christina Amore said...

I agree! I love when the kids are home from school. We are in the same boat, going until June 17.

Karen said...

My son's last day is the 18th, mine is the the 26th...so he'll have to be in daycare all day for a week...feel bad for him.

I am looking forward to not getting up at 5:15, but son still gets up around 6am...sighs... I am looking forward to NOT commuting!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Originally, our last day was June 11, but they added 3 to make up for some snow days. So tired of packing lunches! :-)

Tamara Bowman said...

Oh so much. For me it's whining and messy rooms and Scarlet's dreadlocked hair because she won't comb it. It's a constant up and down.
The #1 thing that raises my blood pressure is probably the pets more, though. Skunk incidents and worms. We won't talk about that one.
And I get scared of doctor appointments which is where they check blood pressure! Not fair!

Stacey Gannett said...

I love this! I am going to try to get a post done to link up this week, if not, I will try to make it next week! :)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Oh, the hair! How could I forget that one!! I have three girls and the two oldest hate to comb their hair. Drives me nuts!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Sounds great! We would love for you to join us!

Stacey Gannett said...

I made it! LOL! I can't wait to read all of the rest! :)

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