Sometimes I realize things slowly. Sometimes I'm shown the obviousness of my mistakes in rapid succession. This last while it's been the latter. I'll share three examples...
#1: I went in to change Lincoln's diaper, and saw a poopy diaper sitting on Sammy's bed (which is right next to the changing table--poor Sambo!), and last night's pajamas on the changing table. Sigh. Stephen got Lincoln dressed that morning. I was kind of annoyed. It's not that hard to swish out the poop--and the laundry basket is literally 1 step away from the changing table. I fully intended to be the martyr and clean everything up, because I am such a sacrificing person...then I noticed yesterday's dirty clothes on the changing table...and a poopy diaper from yesterday in the hall...um...those were my responsibilities. And I had perfectly good reasons for not getting either of those things done.
#2: When the kids came in from playing the other day they took off their shoes (like they are supposed to) and their socks (because they were wet). They left their dirty socks literally in the middle of the kitchen floor. I kicked them (the socks) around for a while, until in frustration I was about to holler at the kids to get-their-stinky-socks-out-of-my-kitchen-5-minutes-ago!!!!! And then I noticed my dirty socks shoved under the table.
#3: I don't know what it is about my kids, but they have a really difficult time finding a laundry basket to put their dirty clothes in. I find dirty clothes wherever they are shed--the front room, the kitchen, their bedrooms, but especially in the bathroom. I wish we had room for a hamper in there, but I'm not convinced it would really do much good. Anyhow, sometimes I purposefully leave their clothes in on the floor just to see if they will notice and pick them up. They have yet to actually do that, but I keep hoping that one day they'll notice. Again, I had been kicking the clothes around in the bathroom for several days when I'd finally had it. Why couldn't they just pick up their own dirty clothes????? Again, I was about to holler at them to CLEAN UP when I noticed, right on the ground next to their clothes, my dirty clothes.
Sigh. Just when I think I might be closer to reaching perfection in little, everyday things, I'm reminded that I have a looooooong way to go yet.
2 comments:
This is why I pretty much don't get mad at other drivers--just as soon as I do, within 10 miles, I will do the same dumb thing I was about to yell at them for. It's embarrassing! And helps keep us humble--if that's possible.
Claire, this post was for me! I've been getting so frustrated with my kids lately..and then I realized that they're mostly just emulating me... I guess we'll all work on the road to perfection together. :)
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