Where Do I Begin???. . . .

Just when you think you have it all together, your kids grow up and prove you know absolutely nothing.  Parenting teenage almost adult boys is not for the faint of heart.  When you think you know them, they show you that you do not know them at all.  Those sweet little angels that you loved and snuggled and loved watching sleep and loved how they smelled.  Ahhh the memories and tears I shed over those little boys and they have no clue how much a mother loves a child.
We spend 16 + years encouraging our kids to grow and be independent, giving them everything they need to do that and then when they go and do it you are no where near prepared.  I was told by my almost 20 year old child, that he was an adult and could do things on his own.  He thinks that because he came and went as he pleased while at college that he can do that in MY house.  Ha Ha Ha Ha !!! This is very hard for your children to understand, they want to flex their adult muscles and they want to be that independent adult so bad.  What these new adults do not realize is all of the responsibility that comes with being an adult.  They still want to sleep in till 1100 and have their food prepared for them.  They want to have their laundry done and car and gas provided to them at no charge of course.
We are always proud that our kids have grown up and excited when they start a new chapter in their lives but when it comes to that chapter where they are suppose to be on their own it is difficult to deal with especially when they still live at home.  They do not show that in those gushy commercials on TV about having children.  They do not show the angry teenager storm out of the house and say, "you don't trust me and you don't want me to grow up."   I bet if they did it would make parents think twice about teaching all this independence.  Nahh, I am just kidding, it would  not have changed anything for me.  I do love that my kids are independent, and that is what we want but they really should teach us parents how to cope with all this independence.  Boys are very different from girls too, I think girls will always need their moms but boys on the other hand they do not want to be seen as "needing" anyone.  ughh the trials of motherhood.
It has taken me a week to write this, every time I read it, I think it sound whiny and needy.  I just want to convey the pains of motherhood in raising teenage and soon to be adult boys. 

Such sweet little angels 

Big T doing what he loves most.  I love this picture, his grin. 

Sprat also doing what he loves most.  

This and That and the Other Things. . .

The hubbs has the "man" flu and has been home the past several days.  I love this man like crazy, but he is pressing my nerves this week.  I have had two c sections and I swear I do not believe I moaned and groaned as much as he has done, he did not moan and groan this much with his knee surgery.  Ughhhh  With all of his coughing, hacking, and whining he has the nerve to blame my irritation on PMS.  In case you are unaware of what PMS stands for exactly, let me break it down for you: Putting up with Marks Sh*!.  Funny how that breaks out, right? 

I drove Spratt to the airport for his flight back to school, bless him they were delayed and he spent the whole day at the airport by himself.  He did make it back to school safe and sound and classes have started back.  He got a text from the lacrosse coach from the school he is thinking about transferring.  They have talked and he has invited Sprat to watch their practices,  He wanted him to transfer for the Spring semester but Sprat wanted to finish his freshman year where he started.  Some think I am crazy to let him stay there and finish up his education, these are some of the same people that said I was an overprotective parent.  Now, is that not the funniest thing you have ever heard.  In my opinion, and that is the only one that counts when it comes to my kids, I was perfectly protective when my kids were little.  They are older now and make their own decisions and I just give advice, they can take it or leave it.  I feel I have raised two very independent boys and I am very proud of them both.  They are making their own decisions about their education with the hubbs and myself answering questions and giving advice. 

Another Teenager in the Clan. . .

We celebrated awesome thirteen this weekend, Big T is now a teenager.   We partied all weekend, this little boy has had more cake in the past seventy-two hours than should be allowed.   He has been quite popular on the telephone too. 
Kids really should talk on the phone with adults more to learn proper phone etiquette.   Thank goodness my folks live away so that my kids have learned good phone etiquette.  If kids only talk to each other on the phone they do not learn this as quickly and if all they do is text they will never learn.  Big T had a bad habit of just hanging up on my mom when he felt he was finished with the conversation.   He did not say goodbye or anything.  He now understands that he needs to end the conversation with a goodbye before hanging up.   That was a tricky thing to try and teach.   

Some days I feel all alone trying to teach my kids good manners.  I feel like everyone around me is trying to sabotage me and them at every turn.  I keep trying though, slow and steady.   

There are many days that I feel all alone tackling this job of motherhood.   You love your kids and you want to do what is best for them and you have everyone around you telling you that you are doing it wrong.  Why is it we are so judgmental of mothers and why do some feel the need to criticize mothers at every turn.  There is so much pressure out there these days on moms to do and be everything to everyone.     

Parenting is a tough job and it is a thankless job too.  This is for all the moms out there doing their best.  Take a deep breath and know you are not alone.  Give yourself a pat on the back because you are doing a difficult job in a difficult time.