Dad reports this morning:
* Dad awoke in a good mood but still jumped the 13 yr old’s case for not bringing down his medicine. Instead the 7yr old awaken him and the 2 began playing Playstation games (the same thing they have done for the past several days–sometimes I want to take it away for a month just to give them a break). Both boys were calm and happy until I came upstairs and griped at them.
* 13yr old is calm. Gets himself psuedo dressed even washing his face as instructed. Every action requires prompting unless it is a total self-indulgent act. He has breakfast, 2 helpings of eggs and toast.
* I get a rare opportunity to film an interaction between the 13 yr old, his 10yr old sister and his 19mth old sister. Apparently they are so enraptured with the game that she is playing that none notice the bright light of the video camera as I film them sniping at each other. The 13 yr old is totally obsessed with the fact that the playstation is in “his” room and that he is nothing going to do anything that his 10yr old sister asks even when the 19mth old starts to be abusive to the Playstation. He and the 10 yr old have several natterings back and forth about what he does and does not have to do. His tone is rude to me but in reality they are just being pretty normal siblings. As a parent I would like to see them talk nicer. He finally picks up the baby and rocks her to calm her then puts her on her back on her legs all in utter niceness but not really paying attention to her. He holds her by her waist upside down above the hardwood floors and knowing his clusiness I instantly blow up at him (could have caused a drop in hindsight) [note: I must learn to not get angry so quickly..it could have been a lesson instead I made it a battle] Naturally, his mood has shifted into defense mode.
The lesson: Your mood will be mirrored in your children’s moods.