Sassy Pants

My seven year old is really giving me a hard time. Not us, me. He would never speak to his dad the way he speaks to me. Very free, very sassy, always with a remark back. Today I was clutching the steering wheel so tight I had visions of it breaking off. Anthony started speaking very clearly at a young age. People would always comment how well he spoke. He stated what he wanted hitting each syllable precisely. He was very good about using his manners. I enjoyed him because we could converse in a conversation very young. That enjoyment is now weaning to frustration. He now chooses to talk to me like a fellow adult. Erik points out to me on a regular basis when we are in an adult argument that I always have to have the last word. I now see how irritating that is when I am in a heated conversation with a 7 year old. I hear my mother in my voice. I say all the cliche' things. But one I stand by is I would never have spoken to my mother the way that he speaks to me. I never would have sat down as a child. Wooden spoons were not just for mixing bowls in our house.

So tonight he was suppose to spend the night at grandma's, treat for him, treat for me. Alex will now be going on his own because Anthony will be picked up by me to help with chores around the house. He will not be bringing his bike to the lake tomorrow. I am throwing down the gauntlet this weekend. Anthony is going to earn every morsel of potential fun this weekend by helping me with laundry, scrubbing floors, and doing dishes tonight. I will not waver when he cries. I will not cave when his lip quivers. He will not woo me with his beautiful eyes. Because this mama has had enough! Alex is at the stage where he soaks everything in that Anthony does. He absolutely adores his older brother when he is not being called names or kicked by him. He will not learn that this behavior is okay.

The big threat I have is,"wait until your father gets home." That will stop him in his tracks. A stern conversation with dad and he flips a switch. I do not have that luxury and for the life of me cannot figure out what Erik does that makes that happen. But I am bound and determined to figure out our switch before I go NUTS! So child labor it is. Starting tonight. Just the way I wanted to start my weekend off. Isn't motherhood grand?