My mom (Ruth) is 88 yrs. old and the bane of my existence. I love her more than words can describe. Even so, she has caused me great pain and heartache through the years.
No, she wasn’t blatantly abusive, at least not by most people’s standards. But, that’s another story and for brevity’s sake, one I won’t go into here.
Anyway, that being said – the grandsons & I went to the park on Monday. Ethan is 4 (almost 5) years old and Kash is 11 months old. I take care of them 3-4 days per week and am having the time of my life! They are such a JOY! Ethan just got a new bike to keep at Maw Maw’s (that’s me) house. It’s a 16” inch with training wheels. (Please don’t leave me yet – keep reading because “Ruth” is about to make her appearance.) The park is just down the hill from our house, the entrance being only 2 blocks away, but on the return trip the last block is UP A STEEP HILL.
This trip to the park was only our second trip with the new bike and unfortunately, because of the hill Ethan had to walk his bike down the hill and on the return trip push it up the hill. Suffice it to say, he’s better at riding the bike than he is at pulling or pushing it!!
It’s very challenging indeed to help a 4 yr. old with his bike while pushing a baby in a stroller. We had a blast at the park and playground, but unfortunately, on the return trip up that hill Ethan kept running his bike into the curb or his heels! While he was sweating and complaining (90+ degree weather) and we were starting and stopping, I was becoming more and more frustrated. It didn’t help that everytime I would stop the stroller’s movement to help Ethan, Kash would start fussing! Grrrrrr…
Needless to say, I found myself grumbling and grousing at my 4 yr. old grandson for his lack of ability to pull that bike up that stupid hill! I hated what I was experiencing, but more so felt guilty for the “I’m sorry, Maw Maw” that I kept hearing from Ethan. The poor little tyke…got a glimpse of the “bane of my existence” – RUTH!
One of my favorite quotes that I’ve heard from Dr. Phil is…”you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge”…and so I’ve spent my entire adult life recognizing and acknowledging those times when I needed to change and this was one of them.
I promptly got on my phone and called Paw Paw who fortunately, was at home. He drove down the hill, loaded up Ethan and his bike and by the time they pulled into the driveway Kash and I were sweaty, but home as well.
dancingthruyears 
May 04, 2014 @ 03:20:47
Good for you! You changed the whole game with one phone call. Lucky Ethan….lucky you!
May 04, 2014 @ 04:04:51
That was an embarrassing blog to write, but very honest. Thank God for Paw Paw!
May 04, 2014 @ 17:31:16
I think a perspective shift is in order here……it should not be embarrassing to have written that post because you showed what a strong belief you have in keeping it positive and asked for help when you needed it. What else could you want to show your grandchildren? These are the life lessons they are learning at your knee….lucky little people! No embarrassment necessary here!
May 04, 2014 @ 21:56:17
Thanks!