Moments to be proud of? Not really.

There are moments in a mother's life where the pride of being a parent seems to well up inside to the point of tears.  Recitals, good deeds, great report cards, and those times when my kids actually stop fighting long enough to show their love for one another are all on that list for me. 

And then there are the other moments.  You know which ones I'm talking about.  Those moments in a mother's life when the terror, the embarrassment, the struggles of being a parent seem to well up inside to the point of tears.  Tantrums in public places, selfish displays, struggles over homework and the fighting that just goes on and on.

We had one of those  other moments yesterday.  It started with a trip to the grocery store.  I took the family with me for a quick "in and out" trip.  I know, I know...I probably asked for this.  What was I thinking??  My 8 year old daughter, still feeling the effects of a weekend sleepover, was whiny.  My 7 year old son, hopped up on sugar from a trip to his grandparents house, was full of energy.  It was a recipe for disaster.

"Stop touching me!" she screamed.

"I have to kick her!" he yelled.

"We're hungry!" they cried together.

On and on it went.  Up one aisle and down another.  I said no.  She cried.  My husband held tightly to the hand of our energetic son.  We managed to get our kids, groceries, and selves out of the store before the real tantrum hit.  My daughter stood in the middle of the cold, dark parking lot and shouted "You aren't my family anymore!!!!"

I know she was angry.  I'm sure she was serious, in the moment at least.  I'm also sure that sleepovers are going to be a thing that seldom happen, sugary snacks will be limited no matter who is involved, and grocery store visits will be made by me, alone.  But right then, I decided that I wanted the last word since I so seldom get it anymore.  I took it for myself and gave myself a proud moment and took it back all at the same time.

"Oh no, honey, you're stuck with us! Niener! Niener! Niener!!!"

Oh well...guess that's parenting.