Family Matters, Week of 6-2-06

Every Wednesday Thursday Week I write about my family. Welcome to it.

 Annie (4yr Old Heartbreaker)

Annie has learned my weakness, she now knows my secret: That it hurts like hell when she says she doesn’t love me or want me around.

The other evening I was in the car waiting for Ericka to exit the store. She had run in to get a few things. Me and the kids sat outside, waiting.

“I don’t love you daddy.”

“What?”

“You’re mean!”

“I’m mean, what are you talking about!”

“Go to work, I don’t love you anymore.” Ouuuch.

“Annie, why would you say something like that? That hurt’s dad’s feelings.”

“You’re mean daddy, I don’t love you!”

Of course she was upset over something, but at the same time, I had never heard her dish out such harsh sentiments with such venom before.

I could brush it off to the late hour, or the fact that she was hungry, or the fact that I had probably pissed her off at some point during the day…but nevertheless, it wasn’t a good feeling. Later she was all hugs and kisses and I love you’s…

…but still.

Abby (2yr Old Entreprenuer)

Abigail is viciously lovable these days, with her expanding vocabulary and her funny mannerisms. Abby, like Annie, has decided that all diapers must feature Big Bird in one of the two pictures featured on the diaper (on the front and back respectively). And if Big Bird isn’t there, then much whining occurs until something is done or you can sufficiently distract her with another toy.

“Hey, look, it’s an Elmo doll!”

“I-I w-want…” she says between sniffles, “B-b-big Bird!”

Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, on and on it goes.

Parents have the deft responsibility to not only feed, clothe, and care for children, but also become masters of distraction.

I swear, you give me any huge, mean ogre and I can find a way to get him to calm down. Surely it couldn’t be as bad as my children can get at times.

“Ugh grug!” pound-pound goes the huge mallet in the ogre’s hand.

“Hey look, Rugrats is on!”

“Rhuh?”

Ericka (her myspace)

Ericka has done an awesome job this week of working her tail off in order to get everything caught up. She worked on July the 4th and just yesterday took the kids to the water park and the grocery store after she dropped me off at work. That’s what I call talent.

She consistently holds it over my head that I can’t say anything about her parenting until I, alone, take the children to the store. Not that this will ever probably happen in the next year or two, but hey, it lets her win arguments, and that’s always good for marriage morale.

Until next week folks, keep on keepin’ on.

 I don't wanna be old and sleep alone
An empty house is not a home