While visiting the Happiest Mom she had an interesting article that got me thinking. Then she asked at the end "What are your Cranky Mom triggers? Have you learned to
identify and avoid some of them?"
I have to admit, by the end of May, maybe due to the full moon, but my triggers were going off all over the place. I suppose with six people under the same roof, the odds are great that some days will be more stressful than others.
My triggers:
- Late. Don't be late. Don't make me late.
- Dishes left in the sink. The dishwasher is RIGHT THERE. Oh, and if the dishwasher is full of clean dishes EMPTY IT.
- Calls/e-mails from school to bring something forgotten. The last question mama asks when you leave the house is: do you have everything? keys? homework? lunch? If you say yes then why am I going to school mid-day?
- Towels on the floor, bikes left in the rain, equipment in three different places. Put your stuff AWAY! Grr.
- Ignoring the 24 hour rule. This is a long-standing rule that I need 24 hours notice of a kid activity. Do not ask me, especially in front of your little friend, if you can do XYZ in 15 minutes. And, definitely do not have a SNIT FIT when I say "no".
- Instant answers are not available. Do not be in possession of critical information an then expect me to give an instant answer when it is finally shared with me. I think everyone is realizing that I'm not into surprises or spontaneous anything!
- My stuff. Do not "borrow" my stuff because in reality you steal it as I never see it again: make up, notebooks, tweezers, books, camera, flash cards (!!), brushes, scrapbook supplies, all manner of things I need throughout the day. Take the pots, pans, and cooking sheets instead!
- Laundry is done by me, not the laundry fairy. Even though I enjoy doing it, please do not send clean clothes to the laundry room. I know that you haven't worn it and you were just too lazy to put it away properly. (I do laundry, I do not do put-away.) By the same token, if it is on your floor, it cannot be in the wash. Hnm?
The second question was whether or not I have learned to identify them (clearly, yes) and avoid them (clearly, no).
Why can't I avoid them? I'm not sure if my kids enjoy me losing my temper or if they're stupid and lazy - which I know they are not. Sometimes. Maybe. I'll chalk it up to young.
The real question is how do I cope? Well, my usual answer would be WINE. But, as part of the Boost Energy portion of my Happiness Project, in order to sleep better I've cut out the wine consumption. 100%. So, now I cope the old fashioned way, I count to 10 and if that doesn't work, I send them to clean their rooms :) ETA: the counting didn't work, I'm back to drinking wine and seriously considering putting in some ear buds and wearing a blindfold to get through my days!
Hmm. Maybe we've discovered the real trigger for my being cranky?
What about you. What sets you off? Are you able to avoid it?
