Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- Dear Judgy Mothers on My Website… - June 15, 2013
- 10 Skills Every Mother Should Possess - June 10, 2013
- Perfection (Or pretty close) - June 3, 2013
April is a work-at-home mom of two children; Andrew, two-and-a-half and Jillian, eleven. It gets quite lonely talking to herself day in and day out so she takes to writing about her less-than-stellar parenting in the hopes of making other moms feel so not alone in this frightening world of motherhood. If she makes you laugh, then her job is done. She can be found on Facebook, and on her blog, Truu Mom.
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Oh, joy, it’s Tuesday again. I need someone to remind me why I thought signing the toddler up for story time at the library was a good idea, because at this moment, it seems like nothing short of a chore. I mean there are only two reasons; (1) I work at home and need to get out of this house if my family wants to see another sunrise and (2) sure, it’s good for the boy to get some interaction with others besides his crazy mom and his tween sister.
I hem and haw about whether or not I should skip story time and enjoy a second cup of coffee when I realize that the word “enjoy” is not in my vocabulary when it comes to what I’m thinking. There is no way I am going to be able to even make a second cup, let alone enjoy it in peace. So like the dutiful mother I am, I begrudgingly get dressed (a term I use loosely in this house) and somewhere between the fit pitched because it was time to get the shoes on and the other fit pitched because Mickey Mouse Clubhouse had to be shut off, we are miraculously in the car.
I don’t know how many prayers I said in that five-minute car ride to the library because I kept getting interrupted by the incessant talking of the boy about the police car and the garbage truck and whatever else it was that crossed the boy’s line of sight. Okay, okay, parking spot found, got boy out of car seat — wait, check mirror, oh yes, there it is, that fake smile I have mastered. You know the smile that says, no really, this is awesome, and I love this, and I can’t wait for this to start because this is certainly my favorite part of the day.
Fast-forward through all the stairs we counted out to get to the story time room, the guinea pig that just needed to be talked to, the blocks that just had to be taken out because story time didn’t start as soon as the all-mighty-toddler entered the room to when we finally get into said room and sit on our cushions. Oh, look, the three-minute video is coming on to which I am praying for three minutes of peace to zone out to, but alas, my hopes have been dashed. I mean what toddler sits for three minutes in a row? Oh, look at that, all eight of the other toddlers are of course. I stare in amazement at this for the next two-and-a-half minutes and try not to let the tears of frustration overflow onto my stupid green cushion I’m sitting on when all of a sudden my over-the-top-with-excitement toddler stops jumping up and down, puts his forehead to mine and says, “Mommy, look, story friends.”
This statement gets lots of awwws and how sweet and oh he’s so adorables, and now my tears of frustration are quickly turning into tears of adoration, for clearly, I have created an amazing being who reminds me at least once a week how happy he is and that it is me, his mommy, who has made him feel that way. I feel like I should get a gold star, but I promise not to pitch my own fit when none appears before me.
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Agh…I miss story time. I used to take my kiddo all the time. It was a welcome break during our days. Good for both of us.
The Mommy Psychologist recently posted..Helicopter Parenting Just Isn’t My Style
:)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
Yup! I hear ya! Getting out of the house is not one of my strong points – there is so much else to do etc etc etc (cue ‘to do’ list).
But books! now there is a reason to go out. A few years back I found myself praying (not my usual style) that my children would grow to love books as much as their Dad and I do, that they would love them so much that we would have moments of quiet in our home and during vacations where the four of us were captivated by our books so much so that we could sit in silence, together and read. Purely selfish desire obviously – just wanted to some peace and quiet on the weekends and holidays – the chance to read my own book thank you!! And guess what? it worked. Every now and then I glance up from my book and smile a smile of relief … there we all are … together, quiet, reading reading reading. So! worth those regular trips to the library for story time (ugggh) … my cunning plan worked!
sarahwaldin recently posted..Finding the focus.
my 10 yo daughter loves to read and so im hoping he follows in his sister’s footsteps :)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
We once were yelled at by the librarian doing story time because our daughter was the only one not sitting down and felt so uncomfortable because of the repeated chastising that we left. Luckily, she wasn’t the usual librarian!
Getting out of the house is such a pain sometimes with the planning and fits, but I’m always thankful when we go.
Mama Melch recently posted..Best. Berliner. Afternoon. EVER!
Before Kid started pre-k, her contact with other human children was practically nil. I wasn’t working at the time so I thought storytime would be a great idea. I rationalized like this:
1. She loves being read to.
2. She needs to see someone besides me & Huz.
3. I need to see someone besides her & Huz.
What a nightmare. She ran, she cried, she yelled, she had a panic attack at the sight of other children. One of the other moms asked me not to bring her back–EVER. Storytime is now referred to Activity Which Shall Not Be Named.
hahahah, that made me laugh. thank you.
Worse than the librarian was that other mom. Glad her kid is perfect. Mine are certainly not!
My son threw such a screaming fit in the kids’ room at the library (I don’t even know over what now) that the librarian came in to see if we needed “assistance”. By this time I had him under one arm like a sack of potatoes, kicking and screaming (did I mention I was pregnant, too) while some of the other moms looked on like they had never seen such a mess in all their lives. I now smile a little on the inside because it’s their turn to have their “little angels” throwing the screaming fit as they make their way out of the library.
aww, yelled at by the librarian? that’s so sad…nasty lady she was!
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
So sweet. Sometimes we forget that kids live in the “now” while we are trying to rush them for something. I have 3 under 4 so I get reminded of that frequently.
Mercy recently posted..Not a Perfect Mom? Join the Club
thanks for that reminder. i need to slow down more often than not.
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
Ahh, the trials not just of getting where you’re going, but of actually getting out the door.
Ahh, the mastery of the fake smile. I’ve still got that. And my kids are teens.
You’ll get through this. Just like addiction recovery: one day at a time.
Anne Kimball recently posted..Adoption Tuesday – Attachment.6
bahaha! Addiction recovery! :-D
Jenelle W. recently posted..Getting back on the horse
THANK YOU :D ill remember that :)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
Back when my twins were toddlers, getting them to sit still during story time at the library was unimaginable. But at preschool, they would sit still for story time. It’s amazing how well behaved children will be for adults other than their parents! I always had lots of books for my children though and they eventually would settle down enough for a bed time story. Last night, for the first time ever, one of my boys got into bed early with a non-picture book and read until his eyes were tired!
Amanda recently posted..They Have A New Goal
that day will come for me and ill be sad i grumped about story time :)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
Sounds totally normal to me. Every outing with my toddler is like that – I kind of don’t see why it’s a big deal. (Am I missing something? Are there kids that don’t do all that stuff?)
We haven’t done storytime yet though b/c they’re all scheduled for weekday mornings. I guess my local library and bookstore don’t think working moms want to go to storytime. *sigh*
Our issue w/leaving the house is the opposite. If anyone looks as though they’re even considering venturing out that door, the TV goes off, the shoes go on, and he’s crying for his coat (because clearly his mother is tormenting him, forcing him to remain indoors and watch Monsters Inc. all day).
Isn’t it bittersweet when they remind us that although we’d like to fall face forward onto the floor making no attempt to catch ourselves, they’re still happy?
Arnebya recently posted..Listening
:) perfect wording…thank you :)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
See, all that hell is worth it after all.
That said, Thank God I have no more toddlers!!!
Your Friend, m.
Mark recently posted..Closure
:) yeah, im done. no more anything!! just moving forward from here :)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
My husband takes my son to story time as it’s during hours that I work. A couple weeks ago hubby had to scoop up son and leave half way through becasue the librarian has all these rules abou the kids staying far back from her and my son was so focused on the eggs they use to make music at the end of story time that he kept encroaching on her space and she was giving hubby the stink eye. This is an all ages story time at 10am on a Tuesday, enough with the rules.
wow, i can say that our librarian is very good with the kids…i mean shouldnt they be if theyre doing storytime?? im sorry.
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
I loved story time. We had the best librarian who did it really well. She knew how to handle the kids, read great books, and kept everyone entertained. Even some of the moms joined in. It’s one time in my kids’ early years that I truly miss. That’s not to say getting there wasn’t a hassle!
Karen recently posted..A Mom’s Victory: I Survived “The Talk”
story time is put on hold for a couple of weeks. im sure ill miss it by the time it starts back up :)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
Could totally relate with the active boy who comments on garbage trucks, etc. and then does NOT want to sit still but move, move, move. Mine’s 8 now and still keeps me on my toes. And still melts my heart, just like yours. :)
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted..Newborn Picture Perfect
forever always making our hearts melt :)
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
My kids are now 6 and 12, and I don’t miss story time one bit. We had a great librarian named Mr. Paul that would do science experiments that went along with the stories, but I am still glad that is behind me. I am not meant to be a mother of small boys.
Kate in Ohio recently posted..How Rumors Get Started
thanks for making me laugh…i feel better and validated now LOL
april recently posted..New Baby, New Baby Smell
Love this! I never really enjoyed story time either. I’m glad we’re past that phase.
CC Jen recently posted..Playhouse
I know many of the feelings you have described! Just today, my little man and I, went out to lunch with a friend. He got a 15 minute nap on the way to the restaurant, other than that he was exhausted! He spent the whole time yelling at the tv positioned behind him and tried to jump from booth bench, to seat, and back……and this was what I like to call a “successful lunch”.
Cassie recently posted..Champoeg State Park
thanks for making me smile :) im sorry though.
april recently posted..My Daughter, My Teacher
Ha ha, we tried story time once with our two-year-old but it was WAY too early. We’ll try again soon, but will certainly not be signing up for anything regular. I’m sure I’d feel just like you! Isn’t that moment of wonder and joy at what little miracles they are great though? Sometimes thinking of that one moment makes me kind of forget the other thousand moments of crazy. But only just. :-)
Joanna recently posted..Happy Bealtaine!
i was just having a bad day that day. i swear story time isnt this shitty every time!! hang in there!! itll both save your sanity and destroy it at the same time :)
april recently posted..My Daughter, My Teacher
I can never stand when the librarian is terrible at reading stories. Isn’t it their job to make reading fun?
Jes recently posted..The mind of a 4 year old
agreed!!! i do like my librarian though. i gotta hand it to her
april recently posted..My Daughter, My Teacher
While I’ve never done story time I have signed up my kids for music. Without you know being able to carry a tune to save my life. I always dread going to the classes (and frequently send my husband on those Saturday mornings) but somehow when I do go I always enjoy myself. Its just the prep. You know getting dressed. Driving. That seems like such a pain.
Marta recently posted..Call Me Beautiful
forever a pain, but in the end they put smiles on our faces – somehow they always do
april recently posted..My Daughter, My Teacher
I can SO relate to this! My daughter, who’s already a “spirited child” (love that new P.C. term) is heightened on chemo and roid-raging as well. Most trips out end up with some kind of embarrassing episode!
It’s not always easy to get out with our kids, but it’s a necessity for everyone’s sanity.
oh sweet girl…im sorry you guys are going through that but i definitely agree with you on the necessity part…*hugs*
april recently posted..My Daughter, My Teacher
Hi April, we’re hanging in there and appreciate even virtual hugs!
Thanks :-)
T.Marie recently posted..Seeing is believing
I remember the struggle to get to storytime…and church…and the grocery store…and the pediatrician.
Ugh.
But how wonderful that through the struggle, you see the gift :)
Kimberly recently posted..Zinio Mother’s Day Contest
We have yet to have a successful story time. I suspect that my child thinks that books must come with the individual attention of sitting in my lap! At least he loves books.
Michelle Ristuccia recently posted..Writing Marathon 31
I went to a library activity today and my spirited 13 month old, she did not sit down for minute. The other children were sitting with their parent. When I tried to get her to sit she would throw a fit. I feel so isolated at home and had hopes that this would be an outting for both of us. I couldn’t help but wonder where I went wrong as a parent. I also wondered if the other moms are hoping I don’t come back. The lady next to me kept giving me dirty looks. Maybe I waited too long to introduce this activity? Story time is tomorrow and had plans to go but now after reading the responses not sure I want to brave it.