On our drive back from North Carolina, we stopped in Virginia and stayed in a hotel for the night.
Seeing as it was only the second time the little guys had ever been in a hotel, they were a little excited.
Actually, they were pretty much out of control.
On Sunday morning I was trying to get out of there as quickly and as early as possible, because I just wanted to get back to Connecticut.
Number 2 and 3 slept in one room with my parents, and I had Number 4, 5, 6, and 7 with me.
So it was about 7:45 a.m. and I was getting all our stuff together.
We didn’t really have that much, but I was trying to make sure all four kids had all their crap packed.
Every time I would get one bag settled, they would pull something out of one of the other bags.
And the bathroom had a pocket door which they found fascinating, and the shower had a huge glass door that they just couldn’t leave alone, and then when they kept opening and closing it, Number 4 got smacked in the mouth with it and Number 7 pinched her fingers in the pocket door and then Number 6 decided he was going to take the biggest crap in the history of the world.
So, feeling very frustrated, and really just needing two or three minutes to get everything totally squared away, I told the kids to go wait in the hallway where they couldn’t touch anything.
Except each other.
Of course it took about 9 seconds for them to start annoying the shit out of each other, and then Number 4 decided she’d do a couple 50 meter dashes down the hallway and back.
And then approximately 9 seconds after that, a very cranky old guy whipped his door open and yelled, “COULD YOU HAVE A LITTLE CONSIDERATION, PLEASE?”
And the kids pretty much ignored him and continued to be douchey.
It was a little embarrassing.
I worried about the cranky old dude for about 1.4 seconds.
He must think I’m a really shitty mom.
And then I remembered that I’d be in another state by the time he woke up (for the second time). He’d never have to deal with my kids again.
And we’d never have to deal with him.
He could think all the shitty things about me he wanted. It really didn’t matter.
So this is just a little reminder that even when you try your hardest, sometimes your kids totally suck.
You are allowed to be embarrassed for a short while. Like less than thirty seconds.
But then, forgive yourself.
It’s okay.
It happens to all of us.
And if you are really lucky, when it does, you can shove the kids in the car, and drive clear into another state.
Andi says
Hysterical! And only because I have lived it with my # 1 and #2. Thank you SO MUCH for reminding us that Motherhood is THE HARDEST JOB EVER! And in many cases, the most fulfilling job EVER…as long as we remind ourselves about the things that really matter. I literally laughed out loud…loudly…reading this. I am not sure why your blog popped up, but it was completely NECESSARY for me to read. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I definitely have a hard time with this. I only have one 15 month old, but when he yells in a store/restaurant/anywhere I get embarrassed and try to hush him. Even if it’s a happy yell. It’s definitely gotten better, but it’s still there. My dad (2 kids) and his girlfriend (3 kids) both tell me to chill out and that no one really cares, or that those who do care don’t matter but it’s still a daily struggle!
Jamie says
LOL, we have all been there!! xxo Jamie
http://www.candystilettos.com
me says
Sorry got disagree on this one. The “cranky old man” was only asking for consideration. Not at all unreasonable.
Evelyn Donnelly says
I don’t think she was mad at the old man. She even said her kids were being douchey. She’s just saying that sometimes your kids will be brats and embarrass you, but it’s okay because you’ll never see the people who witness it ever again! I like to remember this other times, like when I unintentionally cut someone off in traffic or do something else silly. That person I just cut off probably hates my guts right now, but at least they’ll never see me again 🙂
CFG says
Where did she say that he was being unreasonable? Oh wait, she didn’t, you just put your spin on it. Got it.