Friday Fragaholic

OK. I admit it. I am addicted.
My name is Cyndy, and I'm a Fragaholic. (Hi, Cyndy!)
It's been one week since my last Frag, and I can't hold out any longer.
It's Fragging time.

~* I officially established my place as Shelbie's volleyball team's lucky charm this week. Complete with a very wet hug from my very sweaty child. They won both games and Shelbie did great. Now...it's tournament time.

~* Elayna's last softball game is tomorrow, it's a double-header.

~* We're in the process of getting everyone in the family vaccinated for the H1N1 flu. Thus, my poll on the right sidebar. I'm curious as to how my readers feel about the vax. I was initially hesitant about it, but I did my research and especially because of my job, felt that we should get it.

~* I was reading the Molly Lou Gifts blog this week, and the blogger is going to shop only from small businesses this Christmas season. No big box stores, just small indepent businesses, both local and online. I think this is such a great idea and John and I have decided to try to do this as well!

~* Hurricane Ida brought us a cold snap. Yesterday the high was only 62, and right now (4 a.m.) it's in the 40's! BRR! I'm a total wuss with the cold weather. I get cold so easily and I hate to be cold. The worst is when my nose is cold! I am seriously considering buying one of these.

And I will wear it with my Snuggie.

And anyone who laughs at me will get that evil stare that I give my children, which leaves them shaking in their boots.

Muah ha ha ha!

Have a great weekend!

For more Friday Fragements, visit Half Past Kissin' Time.

Best Punishment Ever

I'm joining Mama Kat today and choosing one of her Writer's Workshop Prompts.
Here's the one I chose:

1.) Describe the best/most creative punishment you have ever given your children or received yourself. (inspired via Twitter by Maya from Musings Of A Marfan Mom)

My best punishment ever popped into my mind as soon as I read this.

When my oldest son, Tim, was about 12 or 13, he was constantly complaining that he got into trouble for things that the little kids, Elayna & Andrew, got away with. The little kids at this time were about 6 and 7 years old, respectively. So, basically, he was right. I expected more of him than I did of six and seven year olds. Shoot me!
I finally got tired of his complaining. An idea struck. I told Tim that if he wanted to be treated exactly the same as the little kids, that was fine. But it had to be in EVERY way, not just getting away with the things they got away with. I told him that for one week, he would be treated exactly the same as the little kids in every.single.way.
In a typically cocky adolescent male fashion, he said "That's FINE!!"
At the time, we lived in a town home, and in the complex there was a pool and a soda machine. He was normally allowed to walk down and get a soda or hang out, ride his skateboard, whatever.
But the first time he tried that, I feigned shock and said "Oh no! We don't let the little kids walk around the complex alone, remember? So there's no way you can do that. Remember? You're a little kid now."
He went to bed at the same time as the little kids, 8:30 pm. He wasn't allowed to use his cell phone - the little kids didn't have cell phones. He couldn't watch certain TV programs that were deemed inappropriate for kids of the age that he wanted to be treated. Literally in every way that I could think of, he was treated exactly like the younger kids.
He.was.hating.life.
Once that week was over, he never, ever complained about the little kids getting away with more again.
And I? Felt pretty brilliant.

Because while I am not a perfect mother- nor do I aspire or pretend to be one- I am a VERY good mother. I have no doubt of that. =)

P.S. Thank you for your comments on yesterday's post. They encourage me more than you know. xoxo

The End!

Wicked Stepmother, Circa 2009

Yep, that's Me.

I read a post on AnyMommy's blog the other day. (I love her, by the way.)
The one about Just Rewards (crazy computer won't let me link directly to that post).
That post really made me think. About my stepson.
Because Andrew has issues as well, although most of them are undiagnosed at this point (we're working on that). And because of that, I have rules and discipline for him that others do not understand. Rarely is anything said to my face, but I know for certain things are said behind my back, probably far more than I know. But that's ok. Because they don't understand.
The best example I can think of is what happens at Elayna's softball practice & games. Two hours for Andrew to find something to do. Since it takes place outdoors, it's really not hard. He thoroughly enjoys himself. However, I realized early on that some ground rules would have to be set. Minor problems arose early on, and I am a 'nip-it-in-the-bud' kind of mom. I have to be, especially with him.

Rule #1. Stay where I can see you. I think it's obvious why I have this rule.
Rule #2. Don't play with other kids' toys. You're welcome to bring your own. This one came about after several occasions where all of the kids were playing with one kids' toys, and they went missing or they fought over them, with Andrew right in the middle of it all.
Rule #3. Keep your hands to yourself. Andrew is very touchy-feely. There are issues with this. He was hugging kids (whom he'd never met before) on Day One of practice. Some mothers are not a fan of this. I understand that. Also, spinning little girls around by their arms can make them pop out of the socket. Not fun.

The "sentence" for breaking a rule is that he has to sit in the stands with me for the remainder of the practice or game.
I'm not a total hardass. I give reminders. I give warnings. But after about the third warning, when I looked around and couldn't find him anywhere, and eventually found him behind a building with another child's toy in his hand...it was discipline time.
So everyone looks at the poor, dejected child, chin in his hand, miserably sitting on the stands, bored and sad. But he won't do it again, right?
Until a few practices later. I see him running around with something in his hand, but I didn't know what it was and got distracted by something on the field. Finally a few minutes later, I see him from another angle. It's a freaking Gameboy. Not only is he breaking Rule #2, he's doing it with a toy that would cost me around $200 to replace!
Repeat above scenario. Poor sad child. Evil wicked mean stepmother.

And that's just one example out of hundreds. And you know, at this point, I just don't care. Those who are judging have no idea what our life is like. What he's been through. What we've all been through. There are reasons for the things that we do, and frankly they are nobody's business.

And you know what else? Overall, my methods work. He listens to me better than anyone else. He has only had to sit out on those two occasions. He's very careful to ask me if something is OK before he does it. In fact he's one of the better-behaved kids at the practices.

But I guess the reason I am posting this (other than to vent) is to say to my readers...please don't judge other parents too harshly. Please step back and think that there may be more...so much more...to the situation than the 5 minutes you happen to see.

Grant That I May Not Criticize My Neighbor
Until I Have walked a Mile in His Moccasins.
Native American Saying