I am not a universal fan of children. Obviously, I adore my own to death, but they are the most perfect specimens ever created, made of my flesh and blood. What’s not to adore? Most other children (yours excluded, of course,) are just snotty, obnoxious annoyances who fill up lines at food establishments and have less than perfect aim in my toilets.
I don’t want to feel like this. Before I had children, I vowed to be that mom whose home children gather at for conversation and a comforting shoulder. I want to be the mom whose kisses are almost as good as their own and who flawlessly orchestrates games, sing-a-longs and story times. I dream of wearing an apron and greeting masses of back pack wearing tots with plates of fresh baked cookies. To roll around with kids who aren’t mine, reveling in their unfamiliar squeals and giggles. But I’m not. At all.
We took the kids to the science museum over the weekend. Watching a little 6 year old punk shove Ben out of the way to steal his spot at the trains raised a fury in my belly. I wanted to bolt over there and shove the kid in the adjoining water play area. (I take it that’s not acceptable, huh?) It got me wondering: How the hell am I going to deal with junior high school as a mother? Kids that age can be vicious— I remember it from my youth all too well. So, how do you not beat the shit out of kids when they are truly mean? And covered in zits and budding facial hair to boot. Seriously, I ask you: How? Because I’m going to have one hell of a time.
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{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I have always loved kids… even mean kids they make me laugh! :) Weird I know…it’s adults that drive me up the wall…y’know you expect them to have outgrown the behavior! What I find cute in a kid is just stupid in an adult!
Good luck…Ben is in my prayers and you too, Mom!
I could not believe it when my daughter said after the 3rd day of Kindergarten that a girl in her class was doing the do this or I won’t be your friend, routine. My daughter was confused, and we ended up learning how to deal with girl bullies.
On a lighter note, I gave you an award on my blog! Hope you are into it!
I am so with you! I’d never babysat or changed a diaper before mine was born…I just wasn’t drawn to kids…
Ben is going to be great! I’m sure of it. He and your family are in my prayers. :)
And, your link to VodkaMoms post didn’t work on my computer – not sure if it’s a problem on my end, but the error showed her website’s URL and said could not find post…
Best of luck tomorrow – good vibes are being sent your way!
I’m with you….let’s just say middle school has been harder for me than my kid.
Sorry, I don’t have any useful advice. But I did enjoy reading this post http://twodogsrunningsouth.blogspot.com/2009/02/still.html and how she handled those that were bullying her daughter…
Lots of good vibes for Ben and all of you tomorrow.
Middle school? It started in 1st grade here… I can be the coolest mom in the world…but when someone is mean to my kid… I really have to fight the urge to pay it back… Eeeek.. Sending prayers for tomorrow…
1. girls and the worst, as far as being mean, sorry, it’s a fact
2. I have gotten in a kids face and told them what they are doing in not OK, give em the death eyes, just make sure there are no adilt witnesses *HAHA*
3. You will learn to let your kids deal with their own bizness, they have to.
4. Good Luck with the boy, kiss nurse ass.
I loved kids more before I had my own! And I work in an elementary school. Sending happy thoughts for you and Ben!
Not there yet in regards to dealing with other kids actions towards mine. So no words of advice. :)
Good luck with the surgery! Saying a prayer for you guys.
Good luck with the surgery, I’m sure Ben will do great!!!
Good luck with the surgery and please update when you can.
And you know that we agree about other people’s children!
School bullies suck! I don’t wear aprons or make cookies either.
Good thoughts for Ben’s surgery I hopt ie all goes smoothly
I’m pretty sure we might be twins of some kind. I am exactly the same way. Other people’s children? No way. With the exception of my close and dear friends, of course.
I try to never go to Chuck E. Cheese or the like.
So. Many. Children. :|
OH!
Most importantly…
Ben is in my thoughts and prayers…you, too, of course. But I think you knew that already.
Love & Blessings
xoxo
I can’t stand kids either… especially Hearing kids…Deaf kids are cool… and kids that sign… but normal kids piss me off.
;)
Oh, GOOD LUCK! And by the way, your post was perfect timing. I just got home from helping with a first grade field trip to June B. Jones – I was on a bus with 50+ students and the seat in front of me held the biggest, driest booger which entertained the kids for the entire 20 minute drive. I am heading straight to the shower now. Gross.
Deal with Ben and I will give you the tutoring you need to assist your kids in junior high without leaving any traces for authorities. Prayers for a fast recovery.
The other day at the park an older kid kept pushing my little one over and then laughing and saying “push”. I kept replying, “No Push!” Finally his mom came over with another child and what looked like another on the way. Then I felt bad for her – 3 kids under 3. But that did not mean I wasn’t still upset by what her child was doing! We’re sending positive thoughts for Ben’s surgery.
I have infinite patience and understanding for the little ones. But I do worry about the middle school and high school years… It’s actually something I’ve been meaning to write about – but I’m afraid of droning on and on (as if I don’t already do that…)
Good luck with the surgery. No need to be nice to my kids – I’ll be sending good thoughts regardless.
Sending you good vibes……and big hugs, and even a prayer for Ben’s surgery.
I can’t stand how mean kids can be. Makes me sad. And angry. :)
I am the exact same way. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. Probably get arrested.
Hah, I so love your honesty!!!!! Good luck with Ben’s surgery!!!
{{vibes}} {{good ones}}
He’ll be fine and won’t remember a thing. But he’s your baby so your allowed to worry.
{{vibes}} {{good ones}}
Sending specially good vibes yours and Ben’s way. My son is just getting over surgery as well…so much fun.
As for being a momma bear when another kid does something — anything! — to yours, I can so relate. I would kill. And yes, it gets worse as they get older…I’m on my way to get a bazooka.
Seriously, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Just tell the punk kids, “I have your mother’s phone number and I’m not afraid to use it.” Or just take a picture with your phone and say, “Oh now I can blog about you!” That will shut them up.
I’m so with you. Tweens are punks. And? I’m a high school teacher. Go figure.
I admit to pretty much disliking everyone else’s kids too. Don’t ask me to babysit, because the answer is, “No, your children are awful.” Well, not really, but that’s what I am saying in my head anyway.
Momma Bear! That picture scared me!
Good luck with tomorrow, you know it’ll be fine.
If you want to call me to help you chill you can anytime Momma.
I hope everything is going well surgery wise.
And I don’t like other people’s kids either.
Good luck, Ben!
Junior high scares the crap out of me. For all sorts of reasons, but the one you mentioned especially! I am so not ready for that stuff! Having a 5th grader is scary enough!!!
Good luck to Ben!
I am the SAME way. I don’t really care for other people’s kids. I get nauseated if someone asks me to babysit for them. It’s just not my thing. But….although Junior High was awful, it did get much better in High School. I wanted to beat a few up myself, when my daughter was in Middle School….but things drastically mellowed out once she hit High School. You’ll survive!!!!
Good luck and send an update when you can!
I’m already starting to feel that way too and Lukas is only 20 mo.
Good vibes officially being sent…
It will be the longest 30 minutes of your life, but well worth it. Let us know when it’s over and we’ll all breathe easier.
some kids are just straight up annoying………and mean!
hope everything goes perfectly during his surgery tomorrow!
Oh, thank you all so much. I’m a wreck tonight. I just want him awake and home. Some parts of this parenting gig just suck!
I hope all is going well with the surgery. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I so know what you are saying in this post. I have been know to scold other kids when they are not so nice to mine.
Yeah it’s even more disgusting when those same kids have B.O.
Ack.
Well wishes and prayers for you and Ben tomorrow.
You have more balls than me – I wrote a post about this and chickened out. Boo me. I was afraid my friends would read it and know I don’t like their kids. I really need my friends. :)
I genuinely only like children when I am in charge of them. Give me a classroom full and I am good to go…
Kids in the “wild” make me insane.
Good luck with the surgery. Glad he’s getting them out early- I heard it’s a far quicker recovery than when they get them out at say, 18, like I did!
It gets easier. You don’t think it will, but it does. The older your kids get, the less you like them – tee hee! Just kidding.
I’m a Mama bear too and not all that fond of other rugrats either. I don’t dream of aprons, though. You need to see a doctor about that. Tee hee again.
Take care, Sweetie – I hope all is well with Ben. I’ll keep you guys in my prayers!!!
Kellan
Ha ha, that is too funny! I had this problem at Chuck E. Cheese when an older kid TRIED to push my 2 yr old out of a toy car…I say tried because I put a stop to that crap! I tell myself I’ll be better when she’s older and can defend herself. Right?
Good luck with the surgery!
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oops, typo…LOL
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I’m not a big fan of other peoples’ kids, either. I deal with them when I must, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it!
Hope the surgery goes well.
Good luck on the surgery. I’m sure you will make a wonderful nurse (as long as it is your own kid – just joking).
I am like you; I love most of my friend’s and family’s kids. Other kids tend to annoy me with their behavior. May God help any kid that messes with my baby nephew!!!
Kids are just mean, especially girls. My friend would talk to her daughter and then let her daughter make the decision as to what is right. I guess you have to let them take care of their own issues with their peers. Isn’t that part of growing up?
You really are a scary mom.
sending good vibes your way.
and i completely understand, kids bug me too. (not mine or yours of course!)
I have no idea. I feel the same exact way, though.
I hope your Ben is doing well!
that link to martini mom’s page is heartbreaking. and i think it will be worse with girls. i am so not looking forward to managing hurtful peer interaction, texting, internet porn, im-ing, goths, and … oh geez, i’m going to go read about toddlers and preschoolers and try not to think about it.
Your post nearly made me pee my pants! It appears I am a bit of a Mama Bear as well. Hmmmmm, who knew!? Kids doing (trying to do) things to my kids pisses me off big-time. I just want to wallop them! But I don’t. Or I should say I haven’t yet(but I’ve got a 2 1/2 and 1 year old so there’s lots of time for THAT!)How are we supposed to handle this problem if we can’t stand anyone else’s kids!? Ackkkk! ((p.s. I’m kinda’ joking but, you know, not REALLY!!)
Good luck wishes and prayers coming to your son!!
I am right there with you! I babysit another little 2 year old in addition to mine. I can’t stand the kid, he drives me up the wall!
I feel so bad. Sorta.
I am the SAME WAY! I can appreciate a child’s cute factor in pictures… when they dont speak.. but when they’re infront of you and acting all sorts of insane.. forget it.
I hate being the mom who only favors her kids– but i cant help it. If I had it in me to LOVE all children a like and not think they were annoying obnoxious brats…. Id be a teacher– which Im not and have NEVER aspired to be. lol
Hope everything went well with Ben’s surgery! I will keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers
I may have accidently on purpose tripped a kid at the Children’s Museum on Friday that had forced himself in front of a toy that MY kid was playing with.
I’m with you….is there a support group?
what connie said! lol
What gets to me the worst is when the other child’s parent is standing there watching their kid abuse yours. You turn to them, give them the “aren’t you going to DO something about this?” look, and get the “what? nothing happened” look in return. I always get that mental flash forward of my daughters rushing in to surgery to save a life and theirs sitting in their double wides waiting for their 3rd husband to get home from the bar. Makes it a little more bearable ;)