Where have I been? Battling head colds, that's where. Theirs, mine, plus a last minute ear infection for Brother. Nice.
Between all the sleepless nights, fussy whining, and genearal "too much time together in this house!" I got to feeling pretty sorry for myself. Then I remember that they're just MINOR illnesses in the comparative sense, and get renewed admiration for people like Mary Beth who persevere through something like their baby having cancer with such grace and positive energy. Amazing. I'm ashamed of myself.
Anyway, I guess the above has left me with not quite the usual amount of patience, because I just snapped at lunch and put Sister in time-out for refusing to taste her pizza. (The kind of pizza SHE likes, purchased just for her.)
I know you're not supposed to do that. I know it is highly unwise to make the dinner table a battle field. I know you're just supposed to act like you don't give a care in the world when your child refuses to eat. But you know what? To quote Popeye, "I've had all I can stands; I can't stands no more."
I guess I'm just old school. I was taught that you eat what's on your plate and you thank the cook for it, like it or not. I think it's the height of rudeness to push your plate away, cross your arms, and pout when served your meal. And I'm just not having it from one of mine.
I know she's only 3 and 1/2. But all I asked her to do was TASTE it, not clean her plate. And it was PIZZA for crying out loud!
After I got her out of time-out, I gave her the choice to come to the table and eat or go to bed for her nap early. She chose the nap. Stubborn!!!
It seems that my beloved eldest daughter is about to find out just how stubborn her Mama is, too. Guess what's going to be served for Sister at her next meal?