Monday celebrations? Vents?

[mommyatty]

I have a leftover hamburger patty for my lunch and when I remembered that I legit did a happy wiggle dance in my chair. I heart leftover hamburgers for lunch. It’s little but it’s a celebration.

I’m apparently eating crackers for my boss. He is apparently having a case of the Mondays.

DH had an orthopedist appt this morning and has to go have an MRI on his knee this week. So that’s crappy.

[twinmomma]

The weekend was a solid, fun weekend 90% of the time. The other 10% my kids were misbehaving troublemakers who pushed every button I have.

They're getting progressively worse with their behavior. Back talking, not listening, escalating their "silliness" to get a rise out of every adult around them. I am ready to freaking scream. I know it's a combination of age, lack of normal structure in their lives with home school/summer vacation, and 100% pushing boundaries with beau. But oh my god. I'm exhausted and embarrassed and just SO frustrated. SIL can't even plan to go do fun things with them when she babysits because they're just being little shits to her and not listening. (And yes, I did just call my kids that. It's where I'm at after this weekend.) Since they're the same age, they just feed off each other and encourage the bad behavior. I can't figure out if the best way to handle it is a full blown, preschool style behavior/sticker chart or just jumping straight to grounding them from all screen time and anything remotely fun and locking them in their room for the rest of the summer. I am OVER IT. If this is 8, I will not survive the later years.

[madringal]

I had such a great weekend! I was off the entire week before it and got to spend so much time with my girls, in the pool, working on my yard. Just the perfect, relaxing week. Then we had two of our neighbors and closest friends over for a cook out and pool party on Saturday, and my sister and her kids swimming on Sunday. We have kept our circle to pretty much just these people but we haven't gotten sick of them yet! We also went to church as a family for the first time since March. Came in 10 minutes late, left 10 minutes early, masks fro everyone, and sat up in the balcony away from people - but it just felt great to be back. We have all missed it!

And, total AW, I hit 16 lbs lost this morning. I am really proud of how much activity I have been getting in and just making better food choices and not obsessing over calories. I joined a new gym and I am loving it, it is really making a difference in how I feel both physically and mentally!

[traveltheworld]

Our weekend was pretty good. Went for a nice long bike ride on Saturday (DD5 did 15 km!) and just chilled yseterday.

twinmomma, my 8 year old DS is being difficult too. He's pretty pleasant 90% of the time, then just snaps all of a sudden and has pre-schooler like tantrums. I'm hoping it's just a lack of adequate sleep. I'm making him go to bed at 8 p.m. this week and see if it helps.

[supertrooper1]

DS and I spent most of the weekend at beau's. We played with puppies, went swimming, rode 4-wheelers, lit off fireworks, sat by the fire and ate way too much food. My 3 day weekend was way too short.

[sdlaura]

We had great weather here this weekend (one would think San Diego always has great weather, but it tends to get really gloomy and cold sometimes so that made for a nice weekend. Of course I got sunburned yesterday and also the baby’s face got a little sunburned, even though I had a blanket blocking the sun most of the time. 😬

We ended up doing a walk and then pool Saturday morning and then our friends came over for pool and cookout Saturday afternoon/evening. Sunday we went to the beach in the morning and then swam in the afternoon. I think it’s pretty much the same weekend we would have had pre-pandemic since DH hates fireworks crowds - we just would have invited more than one family over in normal times.

[sandandsea]

Jul 6, 2020 12:14:44 GMT -5 twinmomma said:

The weekend was a solid, fun weekend 90% of the time. The other 10% my kids were misbehaving troublemakers who pushed every button I have.

They're getting progressively worse with their behavior. Back talking, not listening, escalating their "silliness" to get a rise out of every adult around them. I am ready to freaking scream. I know it's a combination of age, lack of normal structure in their lives with home school/summer vacation, and 100% pushing boundaries with beau. But oh my god. I'm exhausted and embarrassed and just SO frustrated. SIL can't even plan to go do fun things with them when she babysits because they're just being little shits to her and not listening. (And yes, I did just call my kids that. It's where I'm at after this weekend.) Since they're the same age, they just feed off each other and encourage the bad behavior. I can't figure out if the best way to handle it is a full blown, preschool style behavior/sticker chart or just jumping straight to grounding them from all screen time and anything remotely fun and locking them in their room for the rest of the summer. I am OVER IT. If this is 8, I will not survive the later years.

Yes. Ds is also 8 and holy cow. The sass, and desire to control everything is a lot to deal with. He is saying shut up and dummy all the time and pushing every boundary there is. I looked up andrenarche and it helped explain all things DS with his highs and lows emotionally. Ive always said he will be an amazing leader if he makes it to adulthood.

ETA. I should also mention that in between the crazy moments he has moments of incredible maturity and sweetness.

[mustardseed2007]

YES! I posted this weekend about my 8 year old DS! I thought about giving him away this weekend!

[186momx]

twinmomma, sorry 8 was bad and the 3 weeks I'm into 9 isn't any better. My issue is she doesn't push boundaries or sass with anyone other than me. It is only with me. I don't think us being with each other all the time has helped and I have noticed and improvement since we now get some time apart thanks to gymnastics. My dad is seeing it more since she is with us so that helps and he just keeps telling me it will pass. But ugh!

Weekend was great and I'm so happy our friends invited us over. It felt so good to have other adults around and just sit back and chill. We played yard games, Mexican dominos, lounged in the adult kid pool, the jacuzzi at night, and watched a couple movies. At good food outside on the patio and just basked in the quiet. DH hated the weekend and was bored out of his mind and was just kind of a pain to be around. He doesn't do nothing well and I think he expected to go off and do things like we normally do when we visit and figured we would all change our minds and not stay in which didn't happen. Sunday I ran shuttle so everyone could run the river whitewater kayaking. Weather was amazing and DD and I just chilled in a shady spot and watch the river go by. DD watched a movie on the tablet and I read when I got board watching the water.

Work is so busy and I'm so thirsty after wearing my mask and feel like I got a scratchy throat all the time now. I'll be happy when the longest tax season ever is over next week.

[twinmomma]

I'm glad I'm not alone in the drama that is 8 years old. I hope we all make it through to the other side!

[k3am]

Well, it must be going around because I definitely texted a friend on Friday and told her my kids were both being dicks.

It doesn’t help that as parents, we are both grouchy and easier to annoy than normal.

We had a nice weekend. I worked a bit on Friday, Saturday was spent eating and in the pool, and yesterday we visited some friends we haven’t seen since before all this happened. It was nice and too short.

[vasc]

Our holiday was good. I picked DD up from sleepaway camp Saturday morning. She had a ball, said everyone in the cabin was nice a friendly, and had nothing but good things to say about the week. I am so thankful she was able to go and crossing my fingers we don’t regret it if any sickness comes up in the next two weeks.

Fireworks show put on by my neighbor Saturday night was amazing.

We’ve officially decided to enroll DD at my school in the fall to keep her on the same schedule as me. Making the decision feels good. She is happy and excited because she can just hang out in my office after school and not go to aftercare. I’ll have to establish firm boundaries for after school behavior (generally 45-60 minutes she will have to wait for me after dismissal). Can’t have her running amuck around the building like other teachers’ kids are apt to do.

DD’s birthday is Wednesday. She will be 7. She’s been great behaviorally in recent weeks. The 3-year-old on the other hand...

[mommyatty]

Add me to the mom of an 8 year old club. She turns 8 next weekend, and omg she’s snotty. And argumentative. Her 6 year old brother is no better. He’s been a demon recently.

Side note. When do I need to have “the talk” with her? Soon, right? Ugh. She knows about babies in broad terms but we haven’t covered periods yet.

[twinmomma]

Jul 6, 2020 19:09:19 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

Add me to the mom of an 8 year old club. She turns 8 next weekend, and omg she’s snotty. And argumentative. Her 6 year old brother is no better. He’s been a demon recently.

Side note. When do I need to have “the talk” with her? Soon, right? Ugh. She knows about babies in broad terms but we haven’t covered periods yet.

Ah. Shit. Ya, probably do need to get on that. My kids are in the same boat as far as current knowledge. If they take after me, we've got a solid 6 years before periods hit home, but I should probably prep them now.

[twinmomma]

Side note: Sounds like maybe 8 isn't the best age to try to shove them into a class together? Unfortunately distance learning convenience for me means dramatic twins wreaking havoc on a single class next year. Already planning to stock up on gifts for the poor teacher.

[librarychica]

Jul 6, 2020 19:09:19 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

Add me to the mom of an 8 year old club. She turns 8 next weekend, and omg she’s snotty. And argumentative. Her 6 year old brother is no better. He’s been a demon recently.

Side note. When do I need to have “the talk” with her? Soon, right? Ugh. She knows about babies in broad terms but we haven’t covered periods yet.

We’ve been doing the “answer the question they ask and no more” since they were little and so DD1, 8.5, knows the biological aspects of sex (less so the emotional and mechanical aspects) and the basics of puberty. She actually finds puberty very scary but she’s already showing some signs, sorry those are my genes kiddo. I’ve found it best to sprinkle little conversations here and there rather than having one big talk.

[librarychica]

Work is mess, my life is a mess, my mom and H are pushing me hard at switching the girls to some imaginary small private school, school starts in a month and there is no plan, and Florida is a Coronavirus hellhole. H claims I have been short with the kids and grumpy with him since I was promoted a couple of months ago and I think he’s right, the extra responsibility and various pandemic-related work stuff is getting to me.

Oh but our governor very much approves of Disney. There was a whole press conference about it. Thanks, DeSantis.

Plus side? I organized every drawer in my bathroom and deep cleaned our bedroom and now I am just going to hide in here forever, drinking wine, petting the cat and folding laundry.

[mae0111]

I’m with you all - my 7.5 year old is extra sassy lately. Coupled with near-constant arguing from DD1... I just don’t deal well with any of it.

I just had the period talk with DD1. Shes 10, I was 12 when I got mine, so I figured it had to happen soon. I was... not excited to do it, but she took it in stride and didn’t ask too many questions.

Despite my current vacation circumstances, we mostly had a nice day. DD1 continues to argue about everything, but once she gets going she’s a bit better about things. We went on an 8 mile bike ride today, then went to the beach. DH and I cooked a nice dinner for everyone. DH is drunk again, not unexpected.

[sdlaura]

I didn’t realize how many of us had kids the same age. DD turns 8 in August, right before she theoretically starts third grade. Also snotty. I find myself saying ‘I don’t like that tone!’ A lot. On Saturday she lost iPad privileges by 9 am. But she can also be amazingly helpful and mature when she wants to be and can be a big help with her little brothers.

librarychica I have private school tours everyday this week. The one today was amazing. It also felt like it would be very safe with huge doors that opened on both sides of every classroom for cross breezes and small class sizes that would make distancing easy. But it would cost us $40k for the two kids. I think we’re going to have to do a catholic school to afford it. And my fear is still that I end up paying for private school and all schools are forced to shut down again and I still have to pay for a babysitter on top of that.

DH now wants us (well, me) to look at the catholic school where his coworker’s kids go, which is totally out of our way, even though there are 3 closer catholic schools. Tomorrow I’m touring a small catholic school that I’m excited about. Seems like a good mix of size, price, and location, and I get good vibes from the couple people I know that go there. The principal also sent out an email recently (forwarded to me by a woman whose kids go there) and he linked to the AAP guidelines and talked about how kids should physically be in school. I take that as a good sign. Though he could also just be trying to get people to not pull their kids/stop paying the school...

[librarychica]

sdlaura, we would only be switching because of size (our public schools will almost for sure be opening). My kids elementary has 1200 kids in it and the county average is 800+. My mom is very concerned but doesn’t want to not see the kids so her solution is that I find a small private school (rare here as most send their kids to public or one of the big privates/boarding schools) and fork over $20K +. H is rapidly converting to her side (he’s always wanted them in private anyway) and I am feeling the pressure, though I’m a product of the local public schools and a huge supporter of public school in general. Argh.

[mellym]

DD1 is also 8 and she's very willful. Lots of battles over control.

We went to our friend's cottage for the weekend and it was so great to be away from everything. No internet service so no phones or news. We boated, swam, watched fireworks, went for long walks in the woods and cooked over the fire. DD3 was jumping off the boat into the lake and it was adorable. DD2 is amazingly sweet and patient with everyone, watching over DD3 and our friend's 4 year old. DD1 immediately ran over to the neighbors' cottage to meet all the kids over there (7 of them) and then tried to spend the entire time with her new friends. If the kids weren't out, she was over there talking to the adults. They took her knee boarding and tubing so she was thrilled. Part of me understood since they were more her age and doing big kid things but I'm not ready for her to pick her friends over us already. I thought I would have more time! Also, I'm naturally a very social introvert but it's still hard to raise an extrovert. You would think after an entire day out on the boat with her friends, she would be ready to come back to her own family right!? Nope - I was the meanest Mom on the planet because I wouldn't let her go to another lake swimming with them at 6pm. DD2 at one point goes, "DD1 just loves people...."

[sdlaura]

librarychica I’m also a product of and big supporter of public schools. We adore our public school - we bought our house 9 years ago before I was even pregnant with our first kid because of its proximity to the public elementary school where we wanted to send our kids. It’s only 450 kids and the teachers are amazing. But it’s highly unlikely we open full time and I’m starting to question whether there will be any in person school at all. Given my kids’ ages and personalities and needs, I will do just about anything to get them in school in person.

[waverly]

We are sans kids at the lake house. It’s kind of a miracle. Cases are low here, so people aren’t all wearing masks, but it seems safer than a hotspot I guess.

We are having a very relaxing vacation maybe too relaxing because we are trying to lay low still due to covid. No indoor dining, not a ton of adventures.

We fought about school yesterday, but it seems every vacation must have at least 1 fight and then DH feels better after maybe? The principal looked up my number and called me after I had sent an email asking about plans. They will announce after their board meeting mid July. She was very much for 5 days and she thinks every effort will be made to provide bussing as well. Overall, it was a comforting phone call. She thinks if there is a split schedule that aftercare could provide care in the off days (and do elearning/ homework), if they meet enrollment. Enrollment is down because no one knows what is happening, people are working from home, and people may want their kids in masks less time.

Despite the anxiety of the last few months, it’s so nice to not be in my house and sit by a lake with a breeze. I was thinking last night after this is all over, this is a trauma and we will all have to heal from the trauma of going through this pandemic.