My biggest parenting meltdown.

[minkydog]

I've had these same thoughts on the same day about my kids... "I have the best kids in the world" and "Every one of my kids are heading for prison!"

Isn't that the truth! Sometimes I look at DS23 and think "D'you want fries with that?"

 

[npmommie]

My kid has slowly been wearing me down over the years, but last week I experienced my biggest parenting meltdown to date. Here's how it all went down...

We were on vacation in Yosemite and had just completed a hike. I was sitting in our rental car, speaking with a friend who was covering for my business. She was having computer issues and I was helping her through them. My son was just outside the car, playing in the snow. I heard a loud bang on the side of the car, followed by another…then another. I looked out to see what was going on. It was my darling snowflake (he's a teenager) throwing snowballs at our rental car. I rolled the window down and told him to stop throwing snowballs at the car. Of course the word “stop” has the opposite effect and the snowballs begin striking the car at an even greater pace. I roll the window down again and tell him that any damage done to the car will be coming out of his savings. Of course this does not stop him. The kid is loaded. He doesn’t care about losing a few bucks.

I roll the window down a third time, becoming angrier by the second, yelling at him that if he doesn’t stop….then it happens. He hurtles a snowball through the rolled down window, striking me on my face and ear, then exploding all over the interior of the car. I have never felt such anger, mixed with icy pain, in my life. I hang up with my friend without saying goodbye, jump out of the car, and begin running over to him. In the process, I slip and slide on the icy pavement, almost falling. This brings out delightful laughter in my kid, as he is thoroughly entertained by dad’s instability, both physically and mentally. I finally reach him and grab him. I begin shaking him while asking all sorts of intriguing questions that I know he will never answer. “What is wrong with you?” "Are you deaf?” "Do you not understand that they are going to charge me for what you are doing if there is any damage?” Of course in my anger, the queen mother of cuss words was being interjected throughout my tirade.

The whole time, he had a smile on his face, knowing that he had once again pushed the correct set of buttons in the correct order to chip yet another piece of dad’s sanity away. It was only after I finished my angry rant that I finally looked up to notice the horrified faces of the good families who were shielding their good children’s ears from my tirade. I told my kid to get in the car. I knew we had to get away quickly, in case someone had called the proper authorities to save this poor child from his out of control dad. Of course, he refused to get in the car. I said fine and began driving away. He then gave chase, as the horrified onlookers gazed on. Finally, I stopped and let him in, against my better judgment. All in all, my finest parenting meltdown.

I'm not interested in judgments. I know I am neither a good parent or good person. I am just curious if anyone else would like to share their parenting meltdowns. If so, this is the place.

I didn't read thru the entire thread, but is this story really true???? your teen acts like that?

 

[Wall-E1]

I didn't read thru the entire thread, but is this story really true???? your teen acts like that?

Yes, but on a positive note, he is not paranoid about the U.S. Census. So, there is hope for him.

 

[IDoDis]

Yes, but on a positive note, he is not paranoid about the U.S. Census. So, there is hope for him.

You are raising a smart boy even though he may be a PITA right now. He's lucky to have you, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual on your part.

 

[Wall-E1]

You are raising a smart boy even though he may be a PITA right now. He's lucky to have you, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual on your part.

Thank you. He is making me go prematurely gray and bald at the same time right now, but I wouldn't trade him for anything.

 

[Disneycrazy!!]

I love reading all these stories! They make me laugh and feel better! I went through hell when my oldest was 14 and 15! He's fine now but in those days I felt like I was losing my mind! I would confront my husband at the door when he got home from work (he's a doctor) and I would say "Someone needs to be medicated in this house, him or me, you choose!" My poor DH would stand there with eyes wide open and look so flabbergasted!

My worst moment was when my son said "I'm running away!" and I answered "Pack your bags!" (And I meant it!)

LMAO I told my mom when i was a preteen that I was "Running away!" She grabbed my arm and started pushing me out the front door yelling "Here Let me help you!" The whole time I am grabbing the door frame and door knob screaming "NOOOOOO!!!"

 

[Aisling]

I have to admit I don't have meltdowns with my kids, but I caused a few-many of them with my parents, especially my dad.

There are 5 kids in my family and my father had a big 1966 Cadillac that he was his prized possession. We'd go on short road trip for vacation with 4 of us kids sitting in the back and the youngest in front between mom and dad. Well, of course we'd misbehave back there, and my parents would alternately give us warnings. Of course we didn't listen, until my dad took off his shoe, turned around and hit each one of us on the thigh, hard, with his heel, all while he was driving 70 MPH on the highway! He didn't care who started it, we all got the whack. Even though it hurt like hell, we soon started laughing and comparing the embedded heel marks on our legs. Dad really melted down that time!

Another time, again in his prized car, I kept putting the electric window up and down. back then in the late 70s, the electric windows weren't common so he would always tell me to stop because it would be a PITA to fix if it broke. We were again driving on some route to vacay when he told me for the millionth time to stop. (I'd stop, but start again every few minutes because I was a smartbutt). Down it went, and it wouldn't go back up this time. OMG. And to top it off, it started to RAIN! My dad pulled over wwent to the window and threw a tomato sandwich at me right through the open window. He was so aggravated. He had to hang clothes to cover the rain from entering and ruining his car until we got to a motel. I'm lucky he didn't leave me there.

So those are my meltdown stories.

 

[cheermom1]

LMAO I told my mom when i was a preteen that I was "Running away!" She grabbed my arm and started pushing me out the front door yelling "Here Let me help you!" The whole time I am grabbing the door frame and door knob screaming "NOOOOOO!!!"

I think we all do that. of course I really did leave, my gma came and got me...I stayed with her for about 6 months...I was 14, poor momma, I understand her frustration now!!!

My dad wow he threw his boot at me.

omg I remember that day, I was 16, I came home and said i will be going here and there so don't wait for me, and started to the bathroom to redo my hair. Now mind you I was a very strong willed kid and I had been a PITA prior to this. My dad looked at me while he was taking his boots off and just threw it as hard as he could, I ducked and out the window it went!!! Of course I had to pay for the window and I didn't get to go out!! I sooo remember that night, i deserved that boot being chucked out me.

 

[cheermom1]

I have to admit I don't have meltdowns with my kids, but I caused a few-many of them with my parents, especially my dad.

There are 5 kids in my family and my father had a big 1966 Cadillac that he was his prized possession. We'd go on short road trip for vacation with 4 of us kids sitting in the back and the youngest in front between mom and dad. Well, of course we'd misbehave back there, and my parents would alternately give us warnings. Of course we didn't listen, until my dad took off his shoe, turned around and hit each one of us on the thigh, hard, with his heel, all while he was driving 70 MPH on the highway! He didn't care who started it, we all got the whack. Even though it hurt like hell, we soon started laughing and comparing the embedded heel marks on our legs. Dad really melted down that time!

Another time, again in his prized car, I kept putting the electric window up and down. back then in the late 70s, the electric windows weren't common so he would always tell me to stop because it would be a PITA to fix if it broke. We were again driving on some route to vacay when he told me for the millionth time to stop. (I'd stop, but start again every few minutes because I was a smartbutt). Down it went, and it wouldn't go back up this time. OMG. And to top it off, it started to RAIN! My dad pulled over wwent to the window and threw a tomato sandwich at me right through the open window. He was so aggravated. He had to hang clothes to cover the rain from entering and ruining his car until we got to a motel. I'm lucky he didn't leave me there.

So those are my meltdown stories.

A Tomato sandwich.. sorry but that was so dang funny!

 

[hereyago]

Of course we didn't listen, until my dad took off his shoe, turned around and hit each one of us on the thigh, hard, with his heel, all while he was driving 70 MPH on the highway! He didn't care who started it, we all got the whack.

That is hilarious. My DF would have whacked me with it then made me shine it after wards!!!! I will sometimes ask DD11 if she wants me to take off my shoe. I like the tennis shoes with no heel, the mules? Easier access for shoe throwing!!!!!

 

[cheermom1]

That is hilarious. My DF would have whacked me with it then made me shine it after wards!!!! I will sometimes ask DD11 if she wants me to take off my shoe. I like the tennis shoes with no heel, the mules? Easier access for shoe throwing!!!!!

Yep have to admit to throwing a few shoes. Although one day dd and I were just goofing off and I flung my shoe at her and aiming for the wall but I hit her instead. I felt so bad, apparently I am a bad aim!

 

[npmommie]

Yes, but on a positive note, he is not paranoid about the U.S. Census. So, there is hope for him.

who is paranoid about the census?

 

[Wall-E1]

who is paranoid about the census?

Not me or my kid. Ours has been completely filled out and mailed back. It's the law and no harm can come from completing it.

How about you? Have you sent your completed form back yet, with all questions answered?

 

[npmommie]

Not me or my kid. Ours has been completely filled out and mailed back. It's the law and no harm can come from completing it.

How about you? Have you sent your completed form back yet, with all questions answered?

I have sent mine back, with the number of people living in my house. thats it
no I won't fill it out completely and it is not because of conspiracy,its because I don't feel they need my or my family's birthdates and names in yet another database.
I have said it before and I will say it again, all someone needs is a birthdate and they can get a SS # and go on from there to commit identity theft.

until you know what if feels like to have your information compromised you can't talk to me.

that is my reason for not putting names and birthdates on the census.
not a conspiracy, my reasons which are valid to ME, are that I feel like it is just one more place for information to sit and possibly be compromised.

and no I don't put birthdates on sports info, or school info , I don't give copies of birth certificates to anyone, and my kids have played town sports.

I don't put anyone's birthdate on anything.
and especially
I don't put anyones social security number on anything either,
just taxes, that's it.

 

[Wall-E1]

I have sent mine back, with the number of people living in my house. thats it

Of course. Because the question about whether you live in a house or apartment is much too personal. And that question about whether the person is male or female...is there no privacy? And they want our phone number?!?!?! It's bad enough that my phone number is already in another database...called the phone book.

no I won't fill it out completely and it is not because of conspiracy,its because I don't feel they need my or my family's birthdates and names in yet another database.
I have said it before and I will say it again, all someone needs is a birthdate and they can get a SS # and go on from there to commit identity theft.

until you know what if feels like to have your information compromised you can't talk to me.

that is my reason for not putting names and birthdates on the census.
not a conspiracy, my reasons which are valid to ME, are that I feel like it is just one more place for information to sit and possibly be compromised.

Good news! I have had my information compromised in the past, so we can talk. Yay! A criminal was able to somehow extract personal info from me and illegally charge up a credit card of mine, even though the actual card was still in my possession.

Even though I went through this experience, and it was a pain to change some of my personal info and shore up my personal security, I still do not fear filling out the census form in its entirety, as required by law. You see, a bad event in my past does not put me above the law.

and no I don't put birthdates on sports info, or school info , I don't give copies of birth certificates to anyone, and my kids have played town sports.

I don't put anyone's birthdate on anything.
and especially
I don't put anyones social security number on anything either,
just taxes, that's it.

Refusing to tell your child's birthdate to their school... not providing proof of age to sports programs...not providing legally required info to the Federal Government.

I can't find anyone here that may be taking things a bit far, can you?

 

[EllaM]

My brother was the trial of the family. So damn hardheaded and arrogant. He rarely listened to what others were saying but was certain he knew everything. And he had a helluva temper to boot.

My parents' house was full of little dents and scrapes where he'd kicked them (err the walls I mean, not my parents... hitting my parents would have meant instant death at the hands of his siblings). Once (when we were teens) I asked him to turn his TV down. It was only 2am and we were both trying to sleep. Our rooms were separated by a thin wall and he was already half asleep. He got so furious at me he chased me into my room, chewed me out and slammed my door shut so hard the shockwave knocked my crucifix off the wall. It hit the floor and broke.

I charged after him with the evidence and exclaimed (as I held a broken Jesus in my hands), "You'll be going straight to hell for that!"

My mom did all she could to keep the peace. But I remember several times she just got so fed up she walked out. Grabbed her purse, coat and left without a word. At the time we feared she wouldn't come back and knew we had crossed the line. She told me later she'd drive off to some parking lot and just vent (cry, scream, pray). It was either leave or murder one of us.

I try to have more patience for my nieces and nephews. The hyper ones are the hardest to deal with though. I've seen their parents really lose it a few times and scream a lot. That chastens me to be a bit more cunning in my psychological manipulation (err... I mean motivation).

Walle, part of me (probably that inner hippie/love child) wants to say your kid was intentionally baiting you because you were ignoring him with your phone call. Kids have this notion that adults are there for them only and forever. Kids can ignore adults but adults must pay attention to kids! Perhaps if you had gotten out of the car and tossed a snowball back at him, he wouldn't have been so desperate to goad you. The said thing when adults lose control around a kid is that we hate ourselves for it. We're supposed to be much smarter than that.

On the other hand, maybe that's why God made it necessary for every kid to have a mother and father. It takes 2 people to have enough patience for one adult vs a kid.

 

[Wall-E1]

Oh dear. I do believe the Disboards has sprung a leak. It appears the "census" thread is leaking into my "parenting meltdown" thread. Perhaps I should purchase some duct tape in the event of an emergency.

 

[Wall-E1]

My brother was the trial of the family. So damn hardheaded and arrogant. He rarely listened to what others were saying but was certain he knew everything. And he had a helluva temper to boot.

My parents' house was full of little dents and scrapes where he'd kicked them. Once (when we were teens) I asked him to turn his TV down. It was only 2am and we were both trying to sleep. Our rooms were separated by a thin wall and he was already half asleep. He got so furious at me he chased me into my room, chewed me out and slammed my door shut so hard the shockwave knocked my crucifix off the wall. It hit the floor and broke.

I charged after him with the evidence and exclaimed (as I held a broken Jesus in my hands), "You'll be going straight to hell for that!"

My mom did all she could to keep the peace. But I remember several times she just got so fed up she walked out. Grabbed her purse, coat and left without a word. At the time we feared she wouldn't come back and knew we had crossed the line. She told me later she'd drive off to some parking lot and just vent (cry, scream, pray). It was either leave or murder one of us.

I try to have more patience for my nieces and nephews. The hyper ones are the hardest to deal with though. I've seen their parents really lose it a few times and scream a lot. That chastens me to be a bit more cunning in my psychological manipulation (err... I mean motivation).

Walle, part of me (probably that inner hippie/love child) wants to say your kid was intentionally baiting you because you were ignoring him with your phone call. Kids have this notion that adults are there for them only and forever. Kids can ignore adults but adults must pay attention to kids! Perhaps if you had gotten out of the car and tossed a snowball back at him, he wouldn't have been so desperate to goad you. The said thing when adults lose control around a kid is that we hate ourselves for it. We're supposed to be much smarter than that.

On the other hand, maybe that's why God made it necessary for every kid to have a mother and father. It takes 2 people to have enough patience for one adult vs a kid.

That's excellent!

 

[EllaM]

That's excellent!

I have loads of brother stories. My mom grew up with 2 of her own and regaled me with her war stories. Every time I was fed up enough to contemplate buying a gun, she'd just sigh and tell me "there's a special place in hell for them".

The weird thing is that they can turn around and be the sweetest most supportive people. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Oh what my poor mom had to put up with!

Once when my brothers were young teens and my grandfather was babysitting us, my brothers engaged in a bit of wild chase and roughhousing. They were running up/down the stairs, out one door of the house and into another. It stopped abruptly when one brother slammed a door shut on the other, and the following brother ended up putting his hand through the window glass to stop it. Blood everywhere, stitches needed. My grandfather was so furious he nearly killed them both. He swore he'd never babysit us again.

My father, on the other hand, is fond of telling us how well-mannered he and his older brother were (they are 5 years apart). To hear him tell it, they were perfect angels. That is until someone squealed on the time my father (about 16 at the time) insisted on telling his father and uncle how to hang wallpaper and how they were doing it all wrong. He was so arrogant and snotty about it, his gentile mother finally grabbed him and handed him money out of her purse. She told him to get out immediately and go to the movies. Apparently she knew if my father stayed one minute more with that attitude he would have found himself buried in the wall. He figured it out years later.

 

[shortbun]

I would have gotten really mad too!