Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The One With the Momtrum


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If you know me personally you’ll know that I’m generally a soft spoken person. I have a quiet voice. Every Principal that has come into my classroom has even mentioned that I have a soft, sweet voice that has a calming effect on the students.

And as I smile angelically, I’m thinking “this guy has never seen me at home,” and thank goodness, because I didn’t know how LOUD I could get until I had children.

Lost in a store? Everyone will know your name before we leave.

Ready to jump off that tall play structure? Yep – enter choir class 101 where my vocal projection training gets put to good use. (And for the record, when I had one child, I was ready there waiting to catch. Once I had two kids, they never seemed to go in the same direction!)

So, yeah, I’ve yelled a few things. And when their safety’s in mind, I don’t care. It’s those other times that bother me.


Enter the past week or so:


I had a sick child. No one likes that. But this guy had a 24 hour bug that I can only be thankful wasn’t a minute longer because it was horrible. I picked up more puke that day than I have in the past 6 years. Poor guy. I felt sorry for him.

Sick child was feeling better and decided to make a snack. I am all about being self-sufficient, but it comes with a trade-off. That day, the trade-off was grabbing the snack out of the pantry and knocking over a glass bottle of 100% pure organic maple syrup. Yes, full bottle, broken glass, and maple syrup. All. Over. My. Floor.

Not to be outdone, little person #2 decided to make cereal for breakfast. Let me tell you, when you hear “Oh no,” it’s already too late.

Still having faith in raising self-sufficient young men, I allow my son to pour a small amount of Sprite as a treat with dinner later on. Needless to say, Sprite is also very sticky no matter how hard you try to scrub and wipe it off your dining room table and burlap table runner.

Up until then, I had maintained the internal mantra of “I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids” and graciously helped and said “It was just an accident, no worries. Just clean it up.”
But the kicker, and not so proud mom moment came later that night. It was bedtime and I was DONE. Tired, exhausted, sleepy and my house still smelled like Sprite.

Suddenly I hear whistling and Lincoln Logs tapping and banging upstairs where two children should be sleeping soundly. That was it. Up I went. So fast that quiet, soft spoken, super mom was left on the couch and loud mega mom threw what can only be called, a “Momtrum.”

I said {ahem, loudly} something to the effect of, “That’s enough! Those Lincoln logs are MINE!” I grabbed a handful dramatically, threw them down, and picked up the Lincoln Log tub and stormed out. {Again, dramatically. It adds to the effect.}

Needless to say, no more was heard from the peanut gallery the rest of the night. I went downstairs and I found quiet, soft spoken super mom still on the couch. I instantly regretted my actions; so together we went up and apologized for throwing the Lincoln Logs and a Momtrum at the same time. Thankfully the kidlets were very forgiving and said, “Mom, you’re allowed to yell once in a millennium. It’s okay.” {Um, people, it’s not a lot, but it’s more than once in a millennium unfortunately, but I don’t have time to worry about my child’s math skills. I’m still thinking about the Lincoln Logs.} So I say thanks and we hug it out and even laugh a little bit about my silly Momtrum.

And so, the Lincoln Logs have somewhat become an inside joke in the house. In fact, this was the scene walking upstairs to bed the next night:

 
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Thanks guys. The stifled laughter in the background was very reassuring. Next time when I get upset I’ll throw chocolate.


And so, I decided to give moments like this a name: Mom + Tantrum = “Momtrum." And just in case you’re wondering ---when your husband does it, it’s called a MANtrum.


I guess we’ve all been there. Right? Well, to make myself feel better, today I’m asking you - have you ever had a Momtrum moment too?

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18 comments:

Unknown said...

I have a momtrum at least once a week. We're allowed. I too feel bad, apologize and laugh it off. I think it's only normal.

Naiman Family said...

So glad to read your post and know that I am not alone this week (although I am sorry to say this week is not the first and probably won't be the last time it happens).

www.gallamorewest.com said...

Yep, had one this morning over waffles and it was NOT pretty! I pretty much apologized for it all day long :(
xo,
Laurie
p.s. That's cute about the Lincoln Logs on the stairs.

Unknown said...

Thanks Kim. :) I'm glad to hear we all have those weeks too! {Even though it seems my kids packed a couple weeks into this ONE.} lol It's a good thing they're cute. ;o)xo, Reannah

Ashley said...

I have them from time to time and always feel horribly guilty. Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone!

Ashley
www.modernmommymagic.blogspot.com

Emily said...

Hopping over from studiousstitch.blogspot.com

MsMidge said...

My kids don't have Tantrums - I do. All very normal! Hopping over through Follow Me Wednesday at The Studious Stitch :)

Unknown said...

Lol! Oh man I LOVE this post Reanah! Love it! I have been there more times lately too. And people think the same thing of me also! Oh sweet, soft spoken Lacee...if they only knew ;) You are an awesome mom and I think your boys were dead on...we moms do deserve to throw a little Momtrum every now and then too! Thanks for joining the blog hop sweet friend!

Amber said...

lol I have a momtrum on a weekly basis haha. I cannot keep up with the mess in our house. The worst part is I can't even figure out how my kids and husband create so much clutter in a short amount of time. I have been counting down the days to my next girls night out (mama vacation haha)

LillysNLollipops said...

I love the term momtrum! I'm so happy I can finally put a name to my weekly craziness. I like the term MANtrum also. I'm looking forward to using that one. Funny post!

A Little Piece of Me said...

Lol! I just love this! The way you wrote it is like I was there. Unfortunately, my girls know how to get the best of me. This is my house on a normal basis. If it's not one, it's all 3 one after another doing something unbelievable. Oh and the non-stop fighting and screaming. I just can't take it after a certain amount of time. I have people telling me what a great job I do as a mom and what great kids I have. I'm like, you haven't seen us at home!! So yes, I can relate all too well. :)

Ashley said...

Oh man... I feel like I have a momtrum at least once a week. :)

Anonymous said...

What a great post! I LOVE that they left Lincoln Logs on the stairs - huge laugh. We all have to "let it out" every once in a while -- it's a part of life. The important thing (and what your sons will remember) is that you are willing to admit when (perhaps) you didn't handle something the way you should have. Nothing could be a better lesson than that! :-)

Meryl said...

Great post! And yes, we all have. I don't really scream though...I just get REALLY upset. And once, we were in a foreign country and my oldest of three (then 5 1/2) walked away (in this old moorish fort) and I lost her for a few minutes. LEt me tell you - I lost it!!! Thank goodness I found her a few seconds later (although it felt like hours). We all have these moments. May yours be few and far between.

I am your newest follower (returning your follow) and looking forward to more visits.

Unknown said...

hahaha I haven't had one yet, but my daughter is only 16 months, but I do get really frustrated sometimes. Usually when this happens, I just tell my husband that he needs to take care of things for a little while.

At The Picket Fence said...

Oh this makes me feel sooooo much better! Especially when I found myself in a very whiny voice telling me 4 year old, "but mommy DOESN'T WANT to pretend to be a giraffe anymore!". LOL! Nice to know we are all human and flawed and can own it and strive to do better the next day with the Lord's help. Thank you so much for sharing this moment of real life with us! :-)
Vanessa

Kristine@thefoleyfam said...

You are not alone girl! Thanks for sharing!! Loved it :)

Amanda @ Raising Miss Mommy said...

Love this post! I'm going to start using momtrum and mantrum, way too funny. Love your blog, thanks again for coming by mine {Raising Miss Mommy}. I'm a new follower of yours now too! Hope you're having a lovely evening!

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