Luckily, Lent – and therefore my efforts to give up being impatient – begins on Ash Wednesday because yesterday was Trying. That is the most patient word I can think of to describe it.
First, number three son - already a tricky boy and already the difficult age of four – was poorly with ongoing nausea. Luckily/unluckily, depending on your point of view (and I’m not saying which one mine was), he was not so ill as to be in bed, sleeping it off quietly, but rather was whining about how poorly he felt, how his tummy hurt and how he just had to STOP BREATHING IN AND OUT. Also WHY DOESN’T HE HAVE MORE LEGO?
I know poppet, let’s lie you down sweetheart so you can stop breathing in and out, I could be heard voicing over and over, in a vain attempt to ameliorate everything about him. Or for him, if I were a better mother.
Not content with having to deal with one nasty virus, I then had a second patient when my laptop contracted a different, but equally nasty virus. On the afternoon I had a deadline. So my plans to stuff the children silly with pancakes and hope they pass the afternoon in a semi-coma in front of their favourite film as a special half term treat as we couldn’t go out due to Four being sick, worked. But then my laptop didn’t.
Yes, my pre-Lenten attempts at patience were sorely tested yesterday.
But I did it. I remained calm and patient. Despite cancelled plans, missed deadlines, dead computers, sick children, inclement weather and cabin fever. I can congratulate myself that I can do it, can be patient, not shout, not boss everyone silly to get out the door on time, not be irritated by life’s ongoing, niggling, annoying challenges.
So now Lent is actually here I’ve got no chance have I?
Photo: lepiaf.geo
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I think lent is about activly trying to stop doing something. I dont thinnk I am going to manage with my Shouting, but I am going to give it a bloody hard try!!
Oh and thank you for your comment on my genetic post. It is hard, knowing that the boys may have something, but I would truly hate to be in your position. But as mothers we go on, we have no choice
I feel for you I really do….my children have upped the anti…I’m wondering how I’m going to stay sane for the next eighteen or so years ! I use to so love school holidays…….how many days are left of half term? ;0/
The Mad House – knowing you are battling with stopping shouting will spur me on with my impatience!
Nova – me too! where have my sweet, easy babies gone?
I wish you all the luck in the world. i don’t think i could would manage.
I love the fact that you are trying to do something rather than giving something up, I think that is a much better thing to do for Lent. I wish I could be more patient, it is something I am trying myself at the moment. Also I’ve been preretty stressed recently and I am certain my daughter has picked up on this – any child would. So I am trying to be calmer too. It’s not easy of course. Good luck!
I love this post, because it fits beautifully with my newly adopted mantra. I am coming to terms with the fact that there are some things in life you simply can’t control. So if you can’t control them, why are you letting yourself get wound up over them? The only thing you have total control over is the way you think, feel and behave. So you can regain the power and control of a situation by controlling your own reaction to something. God that’s really waffly – it makes sooo much more sense in my head…
Heather – thank you
Rosie – good luck too, post about your success if you can, it will spur me on!
MTJAM – so true. But it’s very hard when the children are throwing their food at each other and screaming their heads off to feel powerful about anything at all! Or is it just me that has such awful children…..