Comments on: What Do You Say When It’s Just Not Your Day?

By: Kitty

Kitty — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:48:26 +0000

I have actually always told my son from the time he was 6 months if I’m having a hard time. Something like “I love you, but I really need to cook dinner/get some sleep/knit/drink a case of tequila . I am going to read you one more book/play for 5 more minutes/let you nurse for 5 more minutes, and then I’m going to go do what I need to do. You can come with me, or you can sleep/play with toys/entertain yourself. And honestly, I think it has really worked. These days (he’s 23 months) when I get the exasperated tone, my son’s first response is to give me a kiss – very sweet and almost always helps. I think it’s important to express to him how I’m feeling when it’s just not my day, but also to let him know 1 I ove him and 2 it’s not his fault.

Hope, FWIW I think you’re teaching your daughter to be compassionate.

We can only scar our kids so much. Our love will pul them through it all.
Great blog. Thanks!

By: Hope Wilbanks

Hope Wilbanks — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:17:20 +0000

For the most part, I do, but I worry at times if I’m not doing more harm than good. I want my children to learn that it’s okay to have bad days, and to share those bad days with others. At the same time, my daughter is thoughtful, and as such is one who worries a lot about others. Are my bad days making her worry too much about things beyond her control? By showing my emotions, am I causing her undue worry or concern?

It sure is tough being a Momma.

By: Derek

Derek — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 06:36:45 +0000

You just have to be real in front of your kids.

They intuitively know when something is up. If we tell them what’s going on, then they get to hear it from us instead of just wondering. I think they appreciate it.

By: Monica

Monica — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:40:29 +0000

Hi Giyen. Yes REAL is exactly the word I was looking for while crafting this post. Being REAL and not sugarcoating! Thanks for sharing your insight on this as a parent with older kids than I have.

By: Giyen

Giyen — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 05:25:51 +0000

Demi Moore was absolutely right. My daughter told me recently that she has always resented the fact that I “sugarcoated” things.

Now that I’m more vulnerable, our conversations have gotten more “real” and we have become closer.