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solsc: sigh 21/31


March Slice of Life Story Challenge 
hosted at the Two Writing Teachers
Join us for a month of writing!

remember last night?
talking, singing, laughing
well beyond bedtime?
i was concerned
about this morning,
but the girls woke up
on their own, on time, and happy.

dropped off
at their school and
i continued on my way. 
busy day and blink --
time to pickup and
the moment
the girls saw me
the switch went on.

crabby
crying
whining
shouting
pouting
testing
demanding
now

deep breaths
trying to appease
with a little patience
modeling how to respond.
but the patience
quickly disappeared
and sadly
i was just like them --

crabby
crying
whining
shouting
pouting
testing
demanding
now

brief timeouts
for us all.
more deep breaths
praying to God
for patience and
understanding.
the three of us
regrouped.

bedtime quickly called
and tonight both girls
were sound asleep
before we even
closed
the
door.
(sigh.)


Comments

  1. Parenting. Where I learn so much about myself. And about the Father. And build so much character. Another beautiful slice, Michelle. Hope you have a peace-filled day today!

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  2. And, there is no explaining to almost 3 year olds. Lots of deep breathes, lots of prayers, hugs and crying. Today will be better after a full nights rest for everyone. Love ya M

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  3. I love the flow and setup of this! The frenzy of feelings and transfer of them comes through so clearly.

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  4. Isn't that the way it is - a little payback for late nights! I love how you repeated those lines for your girls and yourself.

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  5. I can only imagine the patients it takes for two yikes! You said it though, deep breaths and time outs for all...what else can you do? They were exhausted poor babies and they have not yet figured out "you play you pay" ;-) hang in there you do a great job!

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  6. Oh I love this, avpgain us moms ying we get it.... Tact feeling of on wowing tha you aren't acting reasonable, but doing it anyways, because you too are exhausted. Know that it won't be the last time, know that we have all been there many many times, rest in the quietness of the house and start again tomorrow. One of my favorite characters Anne of Green Gables says, "isn't it nice to know that tomorrow is a brand new day without any mistakes in it yet."

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  7. How many parents can relate to this!...and how often not surprised by the crying, pouting, crabbiness...and often returning the same feelings. I liked how you regrouped...so important...and then bed time on time...and hopefully a better afternoon tomorrow. Jackie http://familytrove.blogspot.com/

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  8. The morning I left the hospital with my sweet new baby (over 13 years ago :) my doctor passed on some wonderful advice: Sleep while the baby sleeps.
    Hope you're able to sneak in a little nap this evening.

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  9. There was sweet justice in the way your day ended....peacefully.

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  10. This slice feels so fresh and real, as if I'm right there with you. At least they are sleeping well tonight!

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  11. I think most moms can really relate to your post. I too have had those moments that I am less than proud of when we are all tired. I was glad to see that you each had a little bit of time and space and especially for you to have the sigh of relief at the end of the day!

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  12. I chuckled when you admitted your own slip into the stanza of weakness. You have great comedic tension in this poem--in the opening and in the repetition of stanzas. So glad you all found peace!

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  13. love the time out for us all-very wise. Glad they actually went right to sleep-better times tomorrow! Lovely poem, Michelle-just right, the gush of the afternoon, the hush of the evening!

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  14. After reading about the evening the girls wouldn't go to sleep, this "day after" poem really helped continue the story. The way you switched to one word verbs to describe their temperament really picked up the pace of the poem and added its own tension. Why is it so easy to be drawn into the tone of our children's responses? I'm glad everyone is tucked in quickly this evening and will be well-rested for tomorrow.

    Cathy

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