Monday, March 9, 2009

Birthday Party Weekend

Muffin and I attended two birthday parties this weekend. Remind me never to do that to myself again! One afternoon of sugar-hyped madness is enough. Two afternoons of "fun" makes this mother a little crazy. I don't think I'm cut out for parties. I have anxiety issues.

It's not just the sweets and the squealing. It's keeping an eye on her manners as well as making sure she doesn't get stolen by baby-snatching strangers that drives me nuts. By the end of the party yesterday I was furious with Muffin. Ostensibly because she interrupted me when I was trying to talk to the hostess but really it was a combination of feelings that culminated in Muffin interrupting me at the wrong time. Wow, Muffin - bet you didn't see that coming!

I was stressed out from trying to keep my darling girl from stepping on the plethora of small children (because she's freaking huge and it's like watching Godzilla in Tokyo) and I was depressed from comparing my figure to all of the other mommies who look fabulous. Muffin actually behaved herself rather well - she said "excuse me" to get around people and picked flowers for the hostess. Sweet, right?

Then she offered to "help" the birthday boy open his presents. Muffin - seriously. Would you like someone to "help" you open your presents? I didn't think so. Also, she kept coming up to me and stage-whispering "Mama, can I please just have one more M&M?" or "Mama, can I just have one more chip - please?" and after about 50 of these requests it got old.

Now, none of this would have been grounds for us leaving or my being upset with her. It was just the wrong combination of events that lead to my untimely outburst after her interruption.

I guess I'm saying that I'm sorry, Muffin. I'll probably flip out on you again at some point since I'm kind of a looney spazz, but I love you and I'm really rather proud of you. You're a good girl with a sweet heart - I couldn't ask for anything more.

5 comments:

Amber D. said...

I'm really glad I'm not the only one who randomly freaks out on her kid then immediately regrets it. Sometimes the barrage of questions and hearing, "Mom... Momma.... MOMMY!" sends me over the edge. Neither me nor Miss Priss has patience, but she's 5 and it's excusable... not so much for me.

Thanks for making me feel a little bit more normal. :)

Samsmama said...

We've all done it, and then you just feel so rotten afterwards.

The Godzilla reference was great!

Mary said...

I'm with Samsmama- the godzilla comment almost made coffe come out of my nose!
If it's any help, I sort of pride myself on being level headed- I rarely snap or lose my temper, but as a single mom, there's only so much to go around. So once my kids (I have 4) were sitting around talking about what our house is like and saying the nicest things and making me feel so good, when my youngest says, 'except when mom gets mad; then it's like the demon is loose'. The rest agreed, to my horror.
The demon is loose? yeah, I feel ya :)

ATenorio said...

I have a temper that scares the crap out of me. I have managed to reign it in as I have matured, but I know I snap at my daughter at times and I feel like stabbing myself in the eye immediately afterwards. Of course, I feel guilty having to tell her she cannot chew on the power cord too, so....

Anonymous said...

There's nothing worse than snapping at your child when she doesn't really deserve it. I do it all the time - usually in public so I can face the really dirty looks from all the perfect parents as well.

Never, ever do more than 1 party in a weekend - there's only so much you can put up with!