This parenting thing

I'm just a woefully inadequate mother.

Either that, or parenting teenagers is like trying to do brain surgery while walking through the fun house wearing 3" stilettos and without my glasses.

I'm either doing too much and ruining their lives, or not doing enough and ruining their lives. I haven't figured out the exact perfect balance of supervision and neglect. Something tells when that when I finally do, they will be 23 and it won't matter anymore. It's no small wonder that one of the most popular books about raising teens is titled "Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall".

And I remember being the teen, don't you? I remember when my Mom would walk into the room and ask me to do something and all the hair on the back of my neck would jump to attention. I'd be laying on my bed in my groovy lower level basement room that they had lovingly provided with lime green shag carpeting and white/gold paneling. I'd hear her knees cracking all the way down the stairs (like mine do now!) and I'd get ready for the fight. She'd ask me to do something simple, like fold some laundry, and I'd whine like she had invited the firing squad over after lunch.

My parents would do horrifying things in public, like talk to my friends or yell out the car window to hurry up because they'd left supper on the stove at home. And their CLOTHES! Geez, Dad would get off the lawn mower for a quick trip into town to pick up my lazy ass AND my bike while wearing his sweaty shirt, plaid bermudas, and the sweat rag he'd tied around his head.

Parents and teens. It'll never work

Crazy Busy

I'm still here! But with three jobs, a soccer team to manage, and my mommy duties I've been scary busy for the past two weeks. Like my favorite line in Steel Magnolias - "I don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt!". But I've resigned from the soccer team, and will be resigning my little part time job. Then I can devote all my energy to my WONDERFUL new job and my kids. But for now, stress is my middle name.

The worst part of our financial crisis is this: my husband and I are snapping at each other. Normally we have a wonderful marriage but lately the strain is showing and we're arguing more. I hate this more than you can imagine. Any suggestions are welcome.

I'm truly beginning to see what the neocons have been plotting for years - and I'm totally serious. I think they WANT to squeeze out the middle class. None of us will quit working for the man. They won't quit raking in the dough. But the difference is that those of us who USED TO BE in the middle class will be so stressed paying for gas, food, medical care, housing, etc that we won't have time or energy to fight THEM. I'm seeing it happen in my own life - I barely have time or money to buy groceries let alone phone my congress rep or take part in a protest.

Bad Parents

An incident tonight:

Hubby and I are on the screened porch enjoying a quiet evening of adult conversation. Twin #1 needs to be picked up at 11pm. Twin #2 is getting a ride home. Daughter #3 is home with a friend.

Hubby and I decide that we really aren't sure WHEN Twin #2 is getting a ride home. So we call her cell phone . . . .

Me "Honey, I was wondering what time your friends are bringing you home because you really should be home by 11pm"

Pause

Her "Mom, I'm upstairs in my room. I've been home since 9pm!"

Sure could have used THIS!

I found this ad in the Sunday paper - probably a KMart circular.
At first glance you might think it's actually a First AirZone trampoline as stated but no . . .
It's a HAPPY MOMMY SUMMER KIDDIE KORRAL!!!!

See how happy that Mommy is? It's because the new HAPPY MOMMY SUMMER KIDDIE KORRAL has solved all her "school's out" problems. Junior will wile away a fun-filled summer inside his protective enclosure. The SafT brand Mesh keeps him well ventilated and allows his skin to soak up all that Vitamin-D rich summer sunshine while Mom relaxes by the pool. On those beastly hot days, the HAPPY SUMMER MOMMY KIDDIE KORRAL can be moved into the shade, or placed conveniently near the lawn sprinkler, keeping your lawn and little one hydrated!

Just toss in the pb&j to keep those kiddos fed while they get their exercise on the trampoline mat. The exclusive soft covering also promotes long hours of napping. And the best part? The entire enclosure can be hosed down in under two minutes! It's so easy, you can get your teenagers to do it!

Comes with accessories such as THE HAPPY SUMMER KIDDIE KORRAL Hook-on water bottle, the KIDDIE KORRAL Toilet Tissue multi-roll dispenser, and the HAPPY SUMMER KIDDIE KORRAL mesh extension kit.

A Good Saturday Visit from MG

Our good friend MG and his partner attended my 14-year-old's volleyball game and we were so pleased! They arrived just in time on Saturday afternoon. We had a longish break between games so MG, Curt, and I headed to the nearby Asian buffet with the completely forgettable name. They had a large buffet with many traditional Asian choices such as red jello, tarter sauce, tiramisu, soft serve ice cream, and creamed spinach. They also had some lovely breaded shrimp, honey glazed chicken, fried rice, and crab legs. For $10 each we were mighty satisfied.
It was great to see them - they are just the best folks and I wish they lived right next door. Mostly so I could shamelessly steal their perennials when they garden, and have my screaming kids throw balls in their yard while they are enjoying their beautiful terrace.

MG blogs very well about creepy Mom's from the other team at the volleyball game. MG was horrified at the things they were saying "You can do it girls, they aren't very quick!" Some parents have big issues with their kids' sports events. The worst woman looked like a mean gym teacher and was wearing a sweatshirt from my Alma Mater, the University of Iowa! Only nice people are from Iowa, and she didn't deserve to wear those colors. She had practical helmet hair and ugly glasses - so THERE!