the gregarious homebody


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

On Strike

In my memory, this iconic sign said "Strike." 

Okay, I'm not really on strike. I'm just considering it.  Having a pre-teen daughter and a teenage son is not all it's cracked up to be.  Not that many people think it's tons of fun but I guess I thought it would be.  Well, that's not it either, really.  Here's what I thought, honestly.  I thought that my OWN teenage years were so recent that not only would I be sooooooooo understanding, I would also be an ally instead of Other.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!

I'm sure those of you who have already been through this just fell off your chair at how dumb I am.  But I really did think that.  I can remember, almost tangibly, how tortured I felt--stuck somewhere between I Want My Mommy and Why Won't She Just Leave Me Alone.  Because I remember it so well, I thought I would understand from the parent perspective as well.  

Turns out it hurts.  A lot.  I didn't realize how much it hurts my feelings that I seem to be the punching bag for my daughter and invisible to my son.   This is just one of many moments that I wish I could talk to my mom about how she felt.  And to hear that Everything Will Be Okay.  

She looks nice here. Don't be fooled.  She crazy.

Since, short of calling up that Medium wanker (and what a bee-eye-tee-see-aitch she turned out to be!), I can't talk to my mom, I'll have to lean on my friends.  Lynn, Judy...you've been warned.

6 comments:

mamacita said...

Oh, God, I don't even want to think about what I have coming back to me. At least (God willing) I can call my mom on the phone and say, "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! Please lift the curse!"

Mary said...

I understand. Just this morning my preteen daughter, who usually cuddles with me, slammed the door on my face because her hair didn't turn out the way she wanted it to. Was it my fault? I didn't do her hair, but apparently it's my fault because I have wavy hair too and I gave birth to her... Oh these are pleasant times. I can joke about it now, but I'm usually on the verge of tears.

jen said...

Mary, I couldn't have said it better. These are funny not-funny times.

Kim said...

As much as I can't wait for my girls to grow up a little, I DREAD this. I know my feelings will be crushed when they think I'm stupid/embarrassing/out of touch...you name it. :( Hope this phase passes quickly for you!

adozeneggs said...

I'm sorry you're having troubles. (that roller derby looked like a good time with the kids)
My kids (2 dogs and 2 cats) are super wonderful to me ALL the time. But they're dogs and cats.....they aren't going to be taking care of me when I'm old.

leez said...

Just keep telling yourself it gets better, because it does. It really helps to know that everyone else is suffering through it too.

Great resources:
Get Out of My Life, but First Would You Take Me and Cheryl to the Mall.--Wolfe

Blessings of a B- --Wendy Mogel (If you want to hear her, she is coming to Hartford in a few weeks--excellent speaker--and definitely promotes sanity.)

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