We aren't even close to being done with school. In fact, we are only two weeks into the fourth quarter of the school year. The boys are so burned out though. I am too but I'm trying to resist those voices inside my head that say Ethan doesn't need to read out loud to me for twenty minutes every night or Marcus can skip doing his homework just this once. I know if I give into those voices there is no going back. But the boys are so done with all things school. Last year at this time I freaked out and asked for tips on how to get them out the door without so much drama, anger, and stress. Now I realize it's not my parenting skills in question, my kids are just sick of school!
So we had a little chat the other day. Just me and the boys as I drove them to school because they were not even kind of ready to make it to the bus stop on time. They were mad. Ethan even screamed, "I hate you!" at the top of his lungs to me. Marcus was pouting because I took away his favorite pair of shoes because he hadn't put them away after I'd asked a billion times thus forcing him to wear his high-tops to school {apparently he thinks they look stupid with jeans}. So they were mad.
But I was more mad so I gave it to them straight.
"Listen up, boys. I gave birth to you! I carried you in my stomach for nine months and was sick for nine months. And Marcus, when I had you I bled so bad I could've died. Died! And I did it all because I love you so much. So don't you ever treat me with disrespect or tell me you hate me because it hurts my feelings more than you'll ever know!"
Yes, I really said all that. Exactly like that. Then I lectured them about how the school year isn't over yet and they have to go to school for 180 days just like everybody else does. The boys were really quiet after that. In fact, they couldn't get out of the van fast enough. Usually they say goodbye and blow me a kiss but not that day. Just stunned silence.
Did I say too much? Don't answer that.
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