in which i learn an important lesson in parenting

you know... one thing a parent should never ever do is think (or say), "oh, but my child would never do that..."

because guess what? they will do it, and most likely, they'll do it when you're around the person you just bragged to about how well they behaved.

the other day, i was making supper, and clay was hungry. and he was ornery. and tired. of course he was tired. earlier that day, he had absolutely refused to take a nap. so anyway, he's tired. and of course its about 6pm, so its too late for a nap anymore, but too early to go to bed . and he's hungry, even though nick had fed him half an hour ago...

so... i was on the phone with one of my friends who doesn't have kids yet. if you're a parent, you'll appreciate my chagrin, because you understand that some people don't always understand kids and their moods.

so anyway, i'm on the phone, and clay wants to eat. and he wants to eat now. so he starts screeching to let me know. it sounds like the precursor to a full blown tantrum. and he doesn't stop. so i pick him up, and he stops instantly.

this is ironic, because when another friend of mine had kids that screeched when i was on the phone with them, i thought to myself, "my kids will never do that. i won't allow it." and unfortunately, i used to gossip about people's naughty children to this friend... and we both agreed that such behavior was aboslutely horrid.

so of course, my child would act like a tyrant when i'm on the phone...

but i learned something important. my son isn't perfect and neither am i. so despite me trying to do everything right, there will be days when my son is tired and hungry and cranky or is just plain naughty. but that doesn't mean that i've failed as a parent... and it doesn't mean that any one else who has kids that act up are terrible parents. it might simply just mean that their kids are tired and hungry and that's the only way they know how to say it.

so i'll have a second helping of that humble pie.