T got home just around 9:30 p.m. last night. He was shocked to see me still up and unable to wrap his head around it. He came over and set down on the couch next to me and we talked about his week.
He told me he thought he got on Track and Field team. I looked over at him and exclaimed:
You like to run????
T shook his head in disgust and asked me why everyone asked him that question. I mean come on him run? Maybe if a wildebeest was chasing him but otherwise he is relatively sedentary.
Me: I bet your dad was excited to think you were going to be running. What are you trying out for.
T: Shot put and Discus. I think I made the shot put. But Dad showed up to pick me up just as I was going to try again.
The distance for a shot put throw to get on team: 8.7 meters. T threw 8.8 m the first time. I will have to wait until tonight for further information.
As we sat there going over his week and all I casually reminded him that he was going to be riding his bike to school this week. The look of absolute horror on his face was so funny. You would have thought I had told him he was going to be working free of charge on a chain gang all summer long.
I do believe T was not impressed with my laughing at him. And what did I mean I would not drive him to school?
Petulance set in and with crossed arms we began the dance of I won’t go to school then and me oh hell yeah you are. When I accused him of not listening to me and retaining information that I told him his response was why should I remember if it does not affect me?
I howled with laughter. Obviously my being on holidays affect him as I am not driving him. He went back and forth with me. Again telling me I can’t make him leave apartment and go to school.
That was when my hilarity dropped and I looked him squarely in the eye. I know I cannot physically make him got to school but boy can I make his life a living hell at home. There was some quick back pedaling from him and I simmered down.
I remember the screaming matches the bro had with mom. And I remember him being taller and an ass to mom who could not really do anything to rein in his behaviour. I will not go through that with T.
I cannot ground him as discipline like that only works if both parents are on same page. There are differing parenting styles at work here. But I can take his Xbox away and ensure he goes to school and comes home.
Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Mom the monster rides again.
©May 24/22
The Wonderful and Wacky World of One Single Mom 
Being the disciplinarian is not being a monster, it just feels that way. You know T doesn’t see you that way, right? He just has to test you like all teens do. Stand your ground, Mama! You are so right, you do not want to go down that road your brother and mother went down…I speak from experience on that one. I lost control of my middle son a long time ago, and still regret that. I see the results every day and now he’s a 36 year old adolescent. Can’t hold a job, sucks at relationships, won’t be a proper dad, won’t accept responsibility for his mistakes. The list goes on and on, and you don’t want that for T. I know you know all this, I just want you to know you have my support and probably lots of others like me! 🤗💕
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Thank you so much Kim. I know I am not a monster that is a play more so on how T sees it. He is still miffed that he will be walking home. I explained my vaca and I hate doing pick up and drop offs. I am not very good with other traffic and watching for kids and adults too. It is like trying to corral a bunch of monkeys with ADHD. He will live. I don’t worry about losing control over him and know He is pushing boundaries with me. I just will not deal with him saying I cannot make him do anything because physically he is bigger than me. Fingers crossed he will come out the other side of being a teenager somewhat normal. I appreciate all your support more than you can know. 🤗💜
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You are doing the best job you can! Stay present in every moment so you can cherish the memories later! 💕
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