Stop. Breathe. Think.

I am a very frustrated Mom. Last night I slept for 8.5 hours. I woke up and did a full video of Yoga while the kids slept and they nap at the same time for 2 hours just about everyday. So, why do I feel I am losing my patience? I'm pretty sure it's not me. It's my children. Anna is going through a stage right now that I, to be honest, am not prepared for. She challenges everything I say and rule we set. And I'm tired of it. It's like she woke up one day and said "I'm independent, I'm old enough to make my own decisions, I only need them to do my laundry and drive me to Target. I'm 3 and damn proud of it. Aint nobody gonna stop me." I know this stage will be over soon, but it's only been 13 days, (seriously, 13 days) how much longer can I last?

Today was exceptionally difficult simply because my Noah is just not feeling well. When this child doesn't eat, he's sick. BUT THEN AGAIN... what if he's being naughty? I mean, when I serve him is big, glorious plate of food, 3 in one day, he practically throws the plate across the table and won't eat.
Being a Mom is more than cleaning after your child, nurturing your child and teaching your child...it's being psychic and having the ability to be on your toes every single moment of the day. I'm not psychic. So, I'll call the doctor tomorrow and say "Noah has had a cold, he's sleeping and napping fine, no fever, but he will not eat." I'll bring him in and I'll find out "it's just a virus." Does that mean he's just naughty? Am I secretly wishing for an ear infection because that's easier to explain than "he's just being a turd?" I don't know what I want. What I do know is that even though these days have been very hard and I can't wait to put them to bed, I do always love being a Mom. always. I am not lying. I am not wrong. I am quite clear on this issue. I love it. Sometimes the responsiblities are something I could pass up for an hour or two, or maybe even 3 days! but being a Mom, nope, I'll take it, through thick and through thin, through sickness and in health. I read something recently by a Mom saying "Personally, I think that woman who say they "love" being a mom all the time are full of crap. Who could possibly really enjoy being woken up out of a deep sleep in the middle night by a puking kid." I don't enjoy a puking kid waking me, but I LOVE that I am the one to bring comfort to this poor "puking kid."

Here's what I know. I KNOW that a person can handle any situation they are granted. My current situation is a 3 year old who is trying to figure out just how serious her parents are about not letting her set the rules in the house and a 2 year old who may or may not be sick and who may or may not be extremely naughty. All of the situations, I know I can get through. I once watched a Blue's Clues episode LONG before I had children, where Steve taught his audience how to deal with frustration. He said "stop, breathe and think."

I think I will try just that.