Mome reads Mommy, My daughter's way to spell it when she was younger... It stuck. My son calls me Mome... just like it looks. I now sign all my notes to them "Love, Mome". It's our inside secret and makes them smile. I always want them to smile.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

My Daughter is much Sweeter than Me...For Now

Earlier this morning the kids were a little rambunctious. Boogie decided to convince his sister that smacking Dad was a good idea. She complied and HE immediately got sent to time out. She went to join him. Hubby kept telling her to leave her brother alone, we didn't bother people in time out, blah, blah, blah. She kept saying "I did it." Hubby continued to sit on the couch and tell her to leave her brother alone, she refused to budge. He finally got up and went to get her off the steps. He said, "You need to leave your brother alone, he's in time out" She again said "I did it." and refused to budge. I think the light bulb finally went off in Dad's head. "Oh, you want to be in time out because you're the one who smacked me?" She said "yes." Her brother was removed from time out and she did the remainder of her time.


Not what I would have done.


I remember as a child, having one zero tolerance rule that we had to live by. NO HITTING GIRLS. I was the girl, sandwiched between an older and younger brother, and I worked this rule to my advantage for years. I would torment and antagonize my brothers to the point that they had no choice but to hit me...then I would tell. It didn't matter that I had "made" them do it, it was the rule and they broke it. I would giggle inside as they got sent to their room. I realized I had all the power and never looked back. I could threaten to say they hit me and they would comply to whatever my wish was. It was glorious.


Looking back, I still chuckle that they couldn't figure it out. I think my brothers are still afraid of me to this day. Not really afraid, maybe in awe. They know I still hold the power and can get them to do whatever I want. I no longer abuse my power, but instead use it for good. I remind them each Father's Day to call our Father, even if they are on the outs and don't want to, they do it for me. Same thing goes for Dad's birthday. They know I'll check to make sure it's done too. They do not even live in the same state as me, but they know who's boss and do what I ask. Isn't that sweet?


How is it that such a conniving, manipulating little girl, could grow up to earn the respect of all the men in her life? My brothers have not spoken since our mother passed away 10 years ago. They didn't have any disagreement, they were just never close and neither wants to put the effort forth to contact the other. Sad really. They do not on their own reach out to our father, they need the nudge from me. For different reasons, they hold resentment against the one parent who is willing and able to be a part of their lives. Yet they both, and Dad too, reach out to me on a regular basis. Why do you think that is? I think it's because I'm fabulous and they all want to be a part of that. Not really. It's about showing an interest in others and caring about their welfare. It's about not judging and accepting people for who they are. My brothers will both accept criticisms from me that they would not tolerate from others, because they know it comes from love and I only have their best interest in mind.


I promise to only use my super powers for good... unless they tick me off.


2 comments:

  1. Women do have much influence and we do need to use it for good. Girls can be so manipulative!

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  2. Hey, thanks for dropping your entrecard!

    I can completely relate to this - I am the youngest in my family with 2 older brothers. Life was good!

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