HOT TOPIC ! Are you a Mad Mom?     There are moments in parenting when you do things or say things that seem reasonable at the time. But looking back you think to yourself, what was i thinking? Like when you tell the kids."If you don't be quiet your going to bed right now !" But are you really going to put the kids to bed at 5:00 in the afternoon? Probably not! But at the time it seems reasonable! Or  "if you don't stop it you will be grounded from the t.v. for a week." Hello! Did you forget when they are watching t.v . that they finally sit down and get out of your hair? Seems reasonable at the time!

But what about when you find yourself releasing your wrath on your unsuspecting children and husband for that matter. When all seems well , and they are going about their day not really knowing anything is wrong! I wonder what they think of us when we are flustered and touchy. Dishing out answers like , "Just don't touch me !" or how many "Peanut Butter sandwhiches am i going to make today?" or "Get it yourself !"  "When are you going to learn how to do it on your own?" That is one i find myself saying quit often. I'll bet they are thinking gee what's wrong with her ! What happened to her today ! Often times we don't even realize we have these short tempered adittudes. It becomes so normal that we get accustomed to living in defeat and despair.   .

Example, i was preparing for the weekly shopping trip last Saturday. Just the thought of planning the weekly meal plan was a little too much for me to grasp. I am thinking to myself, "he's not going to like what i cook anyway." " I have been making the same thing every day for 10 years!" So i go  to the cabinet and pull out my impressive collection of cookbooks. Nothing. Instead of inspiration i was left with only a smidgen of hope. I ask around. Does anyone have any dinner ideas? They answer cheerfully, yea mom, fruit Snacks and pop tarts. Don't forget the Popsicles! So i turn to my husband who had just got on the computer for his 3 hour poker tournament. I say "Do you have any dinner ideas?" no can't think of any. So armed with my less than exhaustive shopping list i head out the door. But not before i stop and say these words of charm and endearment. "Well i am going to the store now.(sigh) You have to go to the store, pick out the grocery's, put them in the cart. Then load them onto the belt, then load them into the car. Then you have to unload them, put them away, cook the food, wash the dishes, and then take out the trash ! It's a vicious cycle! "  (sigh). Then as if that was not enough i added as i was closing the door. "Be sure and make a big mess while i am gone!."  What was that? I thought to myself as i opened the car door. Did i actually say those things and why? Curiosity turned to laughter as i saw myself for who i was. A Mad Mom! Do i actually think they will feel sorry for me and somehow relinquish me from the role that i sometimes hate and dread. It's not going to happen!  ARE YOU MAD MOM? What would happen if we learned to serve our family with joy instead of anger and frustration? What if we could grasp the concept that it's ultimately up to us to set the tone for our home. How many children would find themselves more content and husbands as well. If we would only tweak our attitude a little everyday.    hot topics discuss this hot topic and much more on our message boards !