Ok I’m going to preface this by saying I’m aware that I’m very lucky to still have my mum and that she lives nearby and is (some of the time) willing to help. I know. However, she appears to have completely forgotten how to deal with kids, to the point where I sometimes question if she did actually raise me.
She often makes the toddler cry because she doesn’t know how to handle her and shouts a lot, and the other day she got so riled up she threatened to smack her, which upset me. I don’t think she would actually do it but the threat was not very nice to hear.
Today she let herself into the house while I was trying to put the toddler down for a nap. I had left the baby in the car seat in the other room as she was asleep, so I could get the toddler down for her nap, but mum came in and started hollering because she couldn’t see me anywhere and was worried. This wakes up baby but I thought it was ok as mum could settle her while I sorted the other one. I tried letting her know quietly I was home but she couldn’t hear and I could hear her getting more and more panicky so I shouted down but then toddler was wide awake and refuse to go back down. So now both children screaming. I finally wrestle toddler back into cot and come downstairs to find mum has left. Baby is screaming, front door is left wide open. She couldn’t deal with the noise (which she created!) and so she just left.
Often when she’s there it’s like I have 3 children. I need to feed her and fetch things for her and manage her moods like I do the kids. It’s quite stressful! When I ask her advice about parenting stuff she says ‘I don’t remember’. I really am wondering how she managed to bring me up on her own!
Anyway, I know this probably all sounds a bit ungrateful as she is at least around, even if she doesn’t help much. Also I have a MIL who is wonderful and helps so much when she comes over, so I can’t complain. But I guess I just have! Sorry!
Anyone else’s parents slightly clueless when it comes to dealing with kids?!