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Mom of the Year? Me? pffft. Not!

April 15, 2009 10 Comments

I need to get a parenting blunder off of my chest. There have been so many,  but this is the one that truly bugs me the most.
Chinese food and bad words:
A few years ago we were all hurrying and scurrying around because the elementary school’s Open House was that evening. Knowing that the schedule would be tight and cooking dinner would be hectic, I opted for a family favorite: Chinese food from Fortune Cookie’s. They deliver for free (at the speed of sound), their chef is a certified nutritionist, and? If you order by 4:00 you get the lunch menu prices, which are half that of dinner prices, and you get more side orders.
Planning ahead, I placed my order at 3:59, knowing that Chinese food keeps well and reheats beautifully… we could break out the chopsticks as soon as we got home. I was getting dressed and ready to go when the food arrived. It was in those styrofoam boxes and rice containers. I asked Devin, then 14, to please put the food in the fridge. He did. Badly.
It appears he shoved it all in the refrigerator, and his main concern was just making sure the door closed. Picture a cartoon or a sitcom, where a character throws something in an already over-stuffed closet, then slams the door shut and holds his back against it to keep it from popping open… Can you see that in your mind?
Now can you see me, dressed in a white skirt and light colored top and ready to go to Open House (which starts in 15 minutes..)? You know those trick cans of peanuts that have fake snakes pop out when you open it? Picture me opening the fridge to grab a sippy cup for Grant. Picture 10 pounds of rice, sweet & sour pork, and Kung-Pao chicken exploding all over me as if it were shot out of a cannon. (A CSI team would have referred to splatter patterns and gun residue…)
In a split second, dinner (and $50) was gone, and I needed another shower and had to be at the school in a few minutes. With all 4 of my children as witnesses, I yelled “aaggh! F***in’ Devin!!!”
I. Am. So. Ashamed.
I don’t think they’re permanently traumatized. I don’t even think they were temporarily traumatized. It was probably more traumatic that I made them all help Devin clean it up while I changed. (I’m unfair that way.)
Blurting. It’s a bad parenting plan.
That being said:
7 things that I think I have done well.
(Or at least haven’t totally screwed up…)
  1. My 3 oldest try to be good, inclusive big brothers to the youngest.
  2. The boys have a great appreciation for traditions and family.
  3. They have helped with charitable acts and supported causes. (Operation Santa Claus, Relay For Life, etc)
  4. They are able to write a proper thank you note.
  5. They save their allowance, make lists, set budgets and do their own Christmas shopping.
  6. We eat dinner as a family every night, unless Dad has a late meeting or there’s a baseball game.
  7. They know how to pack their own lunches, put away their clean laundry, have good table manners and never ask “are we there yet?” when we’re on a road trip.

They’re good guys. They provide great fodder for stories on my blog because they occasionally lose their minds and coordination. Obviously, they come by it honestly.

Filed Under: award, Devin, family, parenting, quirkiness, The Boys In General

Comments

  1. Infarrantly Creative says

    April 15, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    Vivienne can you email me tnbfarrant@yahoo.com so I have your email address? It is not connected to your blog so everytime I want to comment on something you said one mine I have to comment on one of your posts. Anyhoosiers…congrats on your award ;-0

    Reply
  2. Jen says

    April 15, 2009 at 6:41 PM

    Congratulations on your award! And what a great story – I confess I am have the potty mouth here, and that’s unfortunately my word of choice; not good when the 2 year old repeats it! Oy – here’s to better days and mommy moments 🙂

    Reply
  3. Heather says

    April 15, 2009 at 6:56 PM

    congrats on your award! i think we all make little blunders (i have quite the potty mouth at times) ~ yours will sure make for a great story to laugh about with the boys when they’re older! and tell us ~ were you able to get the chinese food out of your white skirt?

    thank you for stopping by my blog. you’re right ~ all those little moves do add up! i take mini~breaks throughout the day and do calf raises, squats, and wall pushups in my office, but i never thought to do them while i’m actually on the computer. :o)

    have a great day!

    Reply
  4. Alicia @ boylerpf says

    April 15, 2009 at 7:21 PM

    Congrats on the award!! Your 7 points attest to deserving it for sure. Your story…I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I bit my tongue before the words spewed forth…more times they flew out of my mouth only to turn around and see the kids say “oh-oh…we’re gonna tell Daddy you have a potty mouth.” I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at them “telling” on me!

    Reply
  5. Vivienne says

    April 15, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    Oh you guys are making me feel sooooo much better. That F-bomb just came flying out… faster than a speeding bullet, faster than exploding chinese food…

    It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one who has done that.

    Reply
  6. Xazmin says

    April 15, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    You are a good mom! I’m so old school…tradition, manners, chivalry. It’s hard in today’s totally disrespectful society!

    I feel bad too when I feel like I’ve set a bad example for my kids! I think they know what truly matters to us though!

    Reply
  7. Connie Weiss says

    April 16, 2009 at 4:26 AM

    I’m pretty sure that I have said a couple swear words in front of my kids….and my little parrot *mini me* repeats them but doesn’t remember them…yet.

    Your boys sound lovely! Good Work!

    Reply
  8. Tanielle says

    April 16, 2009 at 4:38 AM

    Hey you posted it…I am not good with the computer at all…I have to pay Xazmin friendship fees for her to help me with all my dumb computer questions!

    You are adorable! My kids have also heard me say some words I wish they hadn’t! Oh well, hopefully they will be o.k.

    Have a great night!

    Tanielle

    Reply
  9. Becca @ The Texas Darlings says

    April 16, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    Oh goodness…if I had a nickel for everything I have said in front of my kids….

    Thanks for sharing!!!

    Becca

    Reply
  10. melissa says

    April 16, 2009 at 11:09 PM

    oh my gosh..you are so adorable…I am loving your blog!! I saw you on my friend JennyKate’s blog! I will most definantly be back for more!! =)

    Melissa

    Reply

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