February 24th — Our kids have been really acting out lately. Sara has always been pretty serious and grumpy by nature but her anger towards her brother and me in particular has gotten out of hand. Anyone know any gypsies I can sell the kids to? I’m kidding because I love them dearly but liking them is another matter at some moments. Fortunately, I emailed the counselor they saw last summer at Wonders and Worries, a program that helps children whose parents have a life-threatening illness. The therapist emailed me back and said it’s fairly common that kids act out after the crisis is over when mom or dad start to get better. The kids feel safe to express the stress they’ve been under for the past months. If I have eleven months of stress to make up for with angry outbursts, emotional tantrums and constant escalating sibling fighting, I’m done. It won’t be the cancer that gets me…it’ll be me running off to the Caribbean to sell puka shell necklaces on the beach and leaving Greg to raise our little angels. Greg returns from his 10-day trip tonight and while he’ll be exhausted from the trip and probably asleep before the kids, I’m still counting the minutes at this point. Damn cancer.
I’m not so sure that escalating sibling arguments or emotional tantrums is necessarily confined to families who’ve had a recent crisis. If it is, then we had a crisis and no one told me!
I might be joining you in the puka shell necklace business. I definitely feel like that many days. It doesn’t help that when I finally lose my temper completely and yell full-out, what I get in response is tears and “You HATE us!” Can’t win….
I’m with you and Penny….if shell necklaces sold for more money, I’d seriously consider going into business with both of you!
I know Sara and Daniel have been through a lot more than most kids their age, but our two (who are almost exactly six months older than your two) just went through about 6-9 months of true poisonous hatred for one another. I know that’s little comfort, but it seems like they’re coming through the other side at this point. Hopefully, it’s an “age” thing and not a “trauma” thing.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for the LOL! You crack me up!
I am sending you a wee surprise to congratulate you on your
being l/2 through with radiation (as of several days ago!).
It should arrive this Saturday. Enjoy!
Hugs,
Claire