A mom on the edge..

And I am not talking about the edge of Glory. This isn't a story about me, though I am in it, but most of you will relate.

Two things you should know about me 1) I am not a very patient person. Having a son with delays has improved that condition but I am in no way a patient person. 2) I am not very sympathetic. You get sick or hurt in this house and it is: are you ok? Ok, here's a bandaid/tissue/ cold medicine, now get over it. I get this from my dad.

My Youngest and I had an especially trying evening the other night. Since Husband has even less tolerance than I, I usually deal with most of Youngest's issues. The evening ended with both of us in tears. Not a great way to go to bed.

Woke up early in the morning and  Youngest and I vowed to have a better day. Took Youngest, alone, for an afternoon of fun at a local park. Big Fall Fest going on, we go every year so we are excited. We did the usual local stuff and it was time for Youngest to play on the playground: one complete with cool cement tunnels to run thru.

As Youngest is having a blast and I am sitting on the grass just keeping an eye on him, I hear the call of a mother on the EDGE:  "SAVANNAH, WHERE IS HUNTER? I TOLD YOU NOT TO LEAVE HIM ALONE ON THE PLAYGROUND! WHY WOULD YOU PLAY HIDE AND SEEK ON THE PLAYGROUND, SAVANNA??? YOU NEVER LISTEN!!" Oh boy, I have been there and it is an unattractive place to be. Hunter was quickly found and I wanted to tell Mom that ALL the kids play hide and seek at the playground. But I didn't say anything. I took a deep breath and tried to take in the moment. I am too preoccupied with where we have to be next that I never just take in where we are and what we are doing. I took a picture of the tree above..I am yet to figure out how to place pics in these blogs!

And then I heard the unmistakeable sound of Youngest's blood curdling screams. Before I even saw him, I knew he had hit his head in the cement tunnels. I took the time to get him out and cradle him in my lap. He recovered and got back on the playground but he has a goose egg to prove that we had "big fun" today.

We have all been that mom on the edge but take a minute to dial it back. Yelling at your kids in front of 100 people does nothing but make you look like you could use some meds. I know it is hard, I have had 8 years of dialing it back. But it can be done.

Take a moment to breathe it all in. Happy Fall!

Cat