(2 posts from me today – wow! Impressive, eh??)I had a hot date today – with my first born Little Zo Peep.
First, my babysitter watched both girls early this PM as I went for an eye appointment and bought new glasses (my old glasses had fallen victim to one-too-many attacks from Libby Doodle Doo).
Then at 3pm I went back to the babysitter’s house and picked up Little Zo Peep for some “just Mommy and me time.” We went to a movie (Spiderwick Chronicles) and bought a goodly amount of movie theatre junk food (probably too much because my tummy is still a little achy).
On the way to the movie Zo Peep told me how it was nice to be alone with me without Libby Doodle Doo. I told her that I missed spending time just with her and looked forward to having these special times with her in the future. I did reinforce, though, that I also love the time we spend as a family and really enjoy the 3 of us too.
“Really,” said Miss Peep incredulously. “I think it’s much more pleasant and quieter when Libby isn’t here.”
We talked a lot about babies – how they are noisy and smelly – but also how they are loving and sweet and how they need us so much. Zo Peep conceded that Libby is ok sometimes. I still have some work to do there.
We picked up Libby Doodle Doo after the movie and returned home at about 7:30. I wish I could say that this nice day ended on a high note, but it didn’t.
When we got home I wanted to get the girls in pj’s, feed them a light dinner and get them into bed (it was already past the Doodle’s bedtime). Zo Peep told me that she really wanted to take a bath tonight (due to dry skin, I don’t bathe the girls daily and she wasn’t due till Sunday).
I couldn’t watch Zo Peep bathe and get dinner on the table in time. I asked her if she could handle a bath on her own (typically I still stay close by when she takes baths – which is rare, because she prefers showers).
I filled the tub for her (she wanted it higher, but I told her it was high enough), got her towels out of the linen closet and gave her some bath additives. Then Libby Doodle Doo and I went downstairs and I started preparing dinner and feeding the Libster. About 20 minutes later, I was about to go up and check on Zo Peep when she called out that she needed a dry towel. I made sure Libby Doodle Doo was secure and safe and ran upstairs to see what was going on.
A small tributary of water was sitting in my upstairs hallway (on my hardwood floor) and dripping down the steps. It came from the bathroom where at least 2 inches of water was all over the floor. It took 6 bath towels and 2 beach towels to soak up all the water. Zo Peep’s bathtub was filled almost to the tippy top with mountains of bubbles sitting on top.
Later when I cleaned up the mess I found a previously full bottle of shampoo empty and floating under the bubbles. I also found all of the clothes Zo Peep had been wearing prior to the bath soaking in the bathtub (was she doing laundry?) Finally the towels I had given her for the bath were both in her tub water as well.
Was I angry? – You bet. Also very, very disappointed. She had disobeyed me, for sure. But --- more importantly – she had acted immature and reckless. (I still keep checking the downstairs ceiling to see if the plaster is going to come down.) Her behavior has been so grown up lately, I thought I could give her more big girl responsibilities – I guess not yet. I have to keep on remembering that she is only 5 years old.
Then at 3pm I went back to the babysitter’s house and picked up Little Zo Peep for some “just Mommy and me time.” We went to a movie (Spiderwick Chronicles) and bought a goodly amount of movie theatre junk food (probably too much because my tummy is still a little achy).
On the way to the movie Zo Peep told me how it was nice to be alone with me without Libby Doodle Doo. I told her that I missed spending time just with her and looked forward to having these special times with her in the future. I did reinforce, though, that I also love the time we spend as a family and really enjoy the 3 of us too.
“Really,” said Miss Peep incredulously. “I think it’s much more pleasant and quieter when Libby isn’t here.”
We talked a lot about babies – how they are noisy and smelly – but also how they are loving and sweet and how they need us so much. Zo Peep conceded that Libby is ok sometimes. I still have some work to do there.
We picked up Libby Doodle Doo after the movie and returned home at about 7:30. I wish I could say that this nice day ended on a high note, but it didn’t.
When we got home I wanted to get the girls in pj’s, feed them a light dinner and get them into bed (it was already past the Doodle’s bedtime). Zo Peep told me that she really wanted to take a bath tonight (due to dry skin, I don’t bathe the girls daily and she wasn’t due till Sunday).
I couldn’t watch Zo Peep bathe and get dinner on the table in time. I asked her if she could handle a bath on her own (typically I still stay close by when she takes baths – which is rare, because she prefers showers).
I filled the tub for her (she wanted it higher, but I told her it was high enough), got her towels out of the linen closet and gave her some bath additives. Then Libby Doodle Doo and I went downstairs and I started preparing dinner and feeding the Libster. About 20 minutes later, I was about to go up and check on Zo Peep when she called out that she needed a dry towel. I made sure Libby Doodle Doo was secure and safe and ran upstairs to see what was going on.
A small tributary of water was sitting in my upstairs hallway (on my hardwood floor) and dripping down the steps. It came from the bathroom where at least 2 inches of water was all over the floor. It took 6 bath towels and 2 beach towels to soak up all the water. Zo Peep’s bathtub was filled almost to the tippy top with mountains of bubbles sitting on top.Later when I cleaned up the mess I found a previously full bottle of shampoo empty and floating under the bubbles. I also found all of the clothes Zo Peep had been wearing prior to the bath soaking in the bathtub (was she doing laundry?) Finally the towels I had given her for the bath were both in her tub water as well.
Was I angry? – You bet. Also very, very disappointed. She had disobeyed me, for sure. But --- more importantly – she had acted immature and reckless. (I still keep checking the downstairs ceiling to see if the plaster is going to come down.) Her behavior has been so grown up lately, I thought I could give her more big girl responsibilities – I guess not yet. I have to keep on remembering that she is only 5 years old.
I put her to bed immediately without her supper (trust me, she ate enough junk food at the movie theatre that she won’t starve). She sobbed as she tried to negotiate a reduced sentence. I did not waiver.
I put Libby Doodle Doo to bed at the same time. Zo Peep’s sobs triggered a sympathetic crying fest for the Doodle, too. What a nightmare!!! After cleaning up the bathroom/hallway mess and putting all the towels in the laundry, I went back upstairs at 8:30 and moved Zo Peep to my room so that the baby could sleep. They both went to sleep shortly after that visit and have been quiet since.
So – just in case any of you think I live this lovely life right out of a Hallmark card – I don’t. My kids are kids—sometimes adorable, sometimes petulant, sometimes ornery, and sometimes maddening.
They are kids. I love them with all my heart. I just don’t like their behavior all of the time. I guess that may be the mantra of most parents.
I put Libby Doodle Doo to bed at the same time. Zo Peep’s sobs triggered a sympathetic crying fest for the Doodle, too. What a nightmare!!! After cleaning up the bathroom/hallway mess and putting all the towels in the laundry, I went back upstairs at 8:30 and moved Zo Peep to my room so that the baby could sleep. They both went to sleep shortly after that visit and have been quiet since.
So – just in case any of you think I live this lovely life right out of a Hallmark card – I don’t. My kids are kids—sometimes adorable, sometimes petulant, sometimes ornery, and sometimes maddening.
They are kids. I love them with all my heart. I just don’t like their behavior all of the time. I guess that may be the mantra of most parents.
3 comments:
Oh my. Zo Peep is just like my Natalie...at this point, ANY attention, even horribly negative is better than attention given to her younger sister. We still deal with this in waves, even after almost 1.5 years. But it got much better after the first few months.
Hang in there....you're doing just the right things by giving her special one on one time, as well as not budging once the punishment has been metted out! Love your blog.
Take care,
Debbie M.
Yes, that would have made steam blow out my ears! I really like your traditions you are starting with your kids. Date night is a really good idea and I also like your Sat. breakfast idea.
Tiffany
One on one time is so important. Even as an adult, I love the one on one times with my mom. I am lucky to still have a mom who is able to travel and hang with.
Lisa
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