Thursday, February 16, 2012

Eleven

For about six months now, Minnie and I have been at war. I'm talking door-slamming, screaming, crying fights. It's gotten pretty bad.

I realize that this is about 90% my fault considering I'm 30, and she's 11. But wow. She has the ability to bring me down to her level in about 3.5 seconds. All the sudden I'm in junior high again and yelling things like, nu UH!

Two nights ago, she threw a raging fit because I let Quiz watch a show on the "big" tv in the living room while V and I went to a church meeting. This was meant to keep him out of her room and minimize the bickering potential of them being left alone for an hour. So anyway, Minnie starts whining about how she never gets to watch the big tv. All while sitting in her room, in front of her own computer, holding her cell phone, and watching her OWN tv. Yeah. That was about enough to send me over the edge. Seriously, kid.

What usually ends up happening is that V gets in the middle and tries to shut us up. And then Minnie starts crying to him about how much I hate her and how she's never coming over here again.

I'm at my wits end and have decided that I'm just not mature enough yet to have an 11 year old. Most parents have 11 years to prepare for this age. To perfect their patience levels and selective hearing. I've had 4 1/2. It's just not enough time to prepare for World War III. I need advanced training. Boot camp perhaps.

So, I've been feeling pretty inadequate for the past 6 months, wondering how I let it get this bad. Then at church last night, there were 4 of us standing around--all women with 11 or 12 year old daughters. And one mentioned how often she's been fighting with her daughter lately, and the other 2 chimed in with similar horror stories. I was so RELIEVED. It's not just me! It's not just a step parenting problem!

It's an epidemic, I tell ya. 11 and 12 year old girls need to be quarantined.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Job

I got a job! It pretty much fell out of the sky and landed in my lap just like I wanted it to. It's at a university, which has been my goal since graduating college almost 9 years ago (woah! 9 years? How did that happen?). Anyway, I really like it so far, even though it's only been 4 days. I think I can picture myself there long term, and they've got some great benefits for me and my family. So fingers crossed!

I'm still adjusting to being away from home all day. I haven't quite figured out the routine of work, kids, laundry,etc. I think it's going to take some getting used to. And my poor dog just doesn't know what to do with herself. She's never had to be home alone so much.

But it's a good thing. I know we'll find our routine soon enough, and I'm so happy to be employed and not selling anything!