“AnDYY! You’re doing it WRONG!” six-year-old Molly bellowed angrily from the living room. “I am NOT!” three-year-old Andy screamed back. As their voices rose and their fury increased, I sat in the kitchen rubbing my temples. Another day, another squabble. At this point, making it through an hour without someone shrieking (including me) would be a miracle. Why do kids fight? Why are their fights so illogical? Why is every argument a matter of life and death? (According to them!) Such questions are never to be answered; they’re a cosmic mystery, like socks that disappear in the dryer.
It seems that life is one constant quarrel. From the moment they get up straight through till bedtime, Molly and Andy are bickering like it’s some sort of contest – but, rest assured, no one ever wins. And no matter what I do, I’m always the bad guy. This one complains about getting smacked, but I didn’t see it. That one complains about a stolen toy, but I don’t know who had it first! Two of us are always in a bad mood: the injured party, and ME. Oh, what a time when all three of us aren’t sulking.
On days like these, I have to remember what makes it all worthwhile. The tears, the pouting, the constant noise – all seem to disappear when I think of Andy running into Molly’s arms when we pick her up from school. When Andy pats my back and comforts me when I stub my toe, or when Molly writes me a card saying I’m the “best mom ever!” These tiny little moments, these slivers in the forest, help me make it through the day. My kids are good people, and sometimes I forget that they’re…. just kids! Kids who are reckless and irresponsible and as confident as gorillas. Kids who are curious and emotional and blooming with life, who teach me something new every single day. It won’t be loud and chaotic forever. One day It will be too quiet, and I’ll mourn what I once had.
But today is not that day. Today my offspring are fighting about a dried up raisin they found on the floor. Said raisin is astronomically important to both of them, and they’re about to go nuclear. Remember how illogical their fights are? Neither of them likes raisins!
