Oh Yeah, I'm the Parent!

Abby and Noah are 11 and 8 years old, respectively. I am used to being their parent. I order them around, uh .. I mean - I guide them as to what needs to be done, I praise them, hug them, etc. It is understood that when Mom says something, she needs to be listened to or consequences will follow. Don't get me wrong - this is no dictatorship, but it is a monarchy. The kids are rational (most of the time). They are enjoyable. Overall, we have a pretty good system going. I love them, they love me - it works. (When I say "me" - please know I mean "us". I'm taking some literary license here.)

Now enters Lily. What the heck?! I can not rationalize with her. She doesn't care what I need or want. Consequences?! That is what I have to deal with when her needs aren't met - not vice versa. Today I remembered this: I'm the parent. Lily doesn't understand when she needs to sleep. Lily doesn't understand I need a shower - although, due to our closeness she may catch a whiff of when I need a shower. Lily knows two things: she needs food and love ... with her appetite, love may be optional.

Tracy is gone to the deserts of New Mexico once again. I am left with the job as single parent. Not bad. I'm not nearly as freaked out this time around as I was the last. I'm a lot more sleep deprived so nothing really ruffles my feathers these days! (I can't actually focus my eyes any longer, which makes driving fun!) Lily is a tiny bundle, which can seem - um - overbearing after so much time by myself. The kids are helpful, but there's only so much they can do. Quite frankly, when they're home I'm usually tending to their needs as well - so they distract Lily while I do things for them. It's a balance.

ANYWAY, this morning I got a very grumpy Abby and a delightful Noah off to school just as Lily woke with a scream. In her defense, she did sleep from 12:30 - 8:05 so she was hungry. She decided that she was "up" at this point, which is unusual for her. We put laundry away, ate breakfast, caught the Today show, we got dressed (by "we" I mean Lily), and puttered around doing other household things. Lily finally gave into her nap around 10 - while laying in her bouncy. Seeing my chance, I picked up said bouncy and headed to my room so I could jump in the shower and be ready by the time she woke up to eat. Alas, it wasn't so ... Lily decided she needed to eat NOW and that she wouldn't be going back to sleep.

This is when I realized ... I AM THE PARENT!! I cuddled her up in her blanket, held her tight while I walked around the house taking care of one of two things and then - plop! put her down in the crib and shut the door. On the monitor - not a sound! She cried out moments later, but it was half-hearted and feeble. She's tired. I know this. She is starting to accept it. Two more little "MWaa's" that she makes and silence. For the record, that was around 10:40, it is now 1:34. I have had a shower, I have gotten dressed and have dry hair, the kids' beds have been changed, more laundry has been done, I've made a phone call, sent out some email and have written this extensive post!

Empowerment is good.