"Amen," I say as I tuck Emma and Elmo into bed. I quickly put the guard rail up, double check the tucked in Emma, and kiss her good night.
"Wov you," she says as I shut the door.
"Love you too, baby girl," I whisper.
Not even one minute has gone by, Emma has thrown back the covers, grabbed her Pooh alphabet book, and opened her door. "Mommy?" she asks.
"Emma we are not doing this again!" I exclaim, "you must go to bed."
Two and half hours later I call my mother, "Mom, you were the master at getting a particular girl to stay in bed. I have tried everything."
"What about ignoring her?" She asks.
Okay, I think to myself I am desperate. I close my door and sure enough I hear Emma's door open. I know she is just standing in the hallway dragging Elmo looking around wandering where I am. But, I was wrong. Instead she went to the kitchen let Jazzy (her black cat) in from the garage and locked the door. Then she went back to the hall. I hear her talking with Jazzy. Then she starts saying my name louder, louder, and louder. Finally, after about 7 minutes I open my door and she is standing in the hall petting Jazzy. But, she has stripped of her cute, pink PJs and her diaper. I had no idea she was a streaker.
What is a mother to do in this situation? Get angry or laugh. Well, I chose not to react and put her back to bed. Then I went straight to my computer. Motherhood...funny, fascinating, and unforgettable.
Isn't that bedtime shift just the greatest challenge? I was always so tired of being a mom and wanted my break from it all, and the kids were having a hard time saying good-bye to the day. There were more battles about bedtime than I care to admit. I enjoyed the description about your daughter taking off her jammies. Oh my!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
http://peninkpaper.blogspot.com/
Is it helping to write about it? Sounds like you can keep your sense of humor, or am I wrong? It's a great slice of writing..
ReplyDeleteBonnie
Bonnie, it does help. I think when I write it down it's like a sigh of relief. As I was writing this after it happened it made me feel so much better. I have to say I try to keep a sense of humor about things...I am really glad that comes across. I never imagined motherhood could be so wonderful, difficult, and surprising at the same time.L :-)
ReplyDeleteNice story. This seems like one of the stories you'll tell in front of her friends when she's 15 and embarrass her.
ReplyDeleteRay
Http://diamondsintherough.tumblr.com