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February 19, 2013 by: Shell

Pour Your Heart Out: In a Quiet House

IMG_1111At the end of the night, when the house is quiet, I tell myself I will do better tomorrow.

I look at the sleeping faces of my boys, so innocent and sweet in their dreams.

And I realize how young they still are and how entitled they are to their mistakes. Knowing they don’t do things intentionally to push my buttons. That it’s the exuberence of youth that spills over and makes the noise and messes that I have such little patience for as the day is winding down.

And yet I still yell.

For them to stop, be quiet, leave each other alone, leave me alone.

It’s not any one thing they’ve done. It’s the culmination of everything from the entire day or maybe days upon days that each feel a year long until it adds up to just too much.

And so I lose my patience.

I yell. I say things that could break their feelings, as my youngest says when he’s been hurt by someone.

I don’t want to.

I want to remember to count to 10 before I open my mouth.

To take a deep breath.

To lower my voice and watch my tone.

Because they are only little kids.

Little kids who aren’t to blame for their mom being tired and out of patience.

And in the quiet of the dark house, I promise myself that I’ll do better the next day.

When I start to mentally beat myself up for I try to remind myself of what I’d managed to do right that day.  The hugs and smiles, the words of encouragement, the countless times I say I love you. Does it all balance out?

Or does only the way the day ends count?

I sigh and wonder if I’m the only mom who wishes she had more patience, who needs to work on holding her tongue. Who makes these same promises over and over. Who knows that sometimes, she really does do better the next day and other times, she’s right back where she started, gazing down at sleeping faces with an apology in her eyes.

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Comments

  1. Alison says

    February 19, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    You’re not alone, Shell. Many days, I wish I could do the day over. I can’t, but I can try again the next day. It’s a slow walk. But we’ll get there. 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:08 am

      Even having this in mind yesterday, I still ended the day poorly. Ugh.

  2. Elaine A. says

    February 19, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    You are NOT the only one. I could have written a post just like this. Group hug. And I have to look at it this way (for me)- God forgives me every day so I must do the same for myself. xo

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:08 am

      That’s an excellent point. We’re so hard on ourselves. 

  3. Peg says

    February 19, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    you are so not the only one…hang in there!

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:09 am

      It helps to know that. Others can give the impression of having everything all together. 

  4. Kate@SurroundedbyPenises says

    February 19, 2013 at 11:20 pm

    You are not alone.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:09 am

      I’m seeing that from the comments and shares- and it really helps! 

  5. Southern Angel says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:08 am

    You are far from alone hun. I do it everyday. Seems like even though my boys are much older and I have to fuss less, when they do push me to yelling it is BIG.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:09 am

      Hubs was laughing at me yesterday for how quickly my oldest can push my buttons. I think it’s because he’s so much like me. 

  6. Taylor says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:16 am

    You are so not the only one. I’ve been there too many times.  You’ll be fine. God knows your heart. 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:10 am

      Seems like a lot of us go through this. 

  7. Single Mom in the South says

    February 20, 2013 at 5:33 am

    You are most definitely not the only one. I do this daily too. I also do it with life in general. Today will be the day I have more energy… am more organized…exercise… have time to play with the children. I think that every morning and then I get home and I’m spent… exhausted and get to nothing, but I always try to start the next day with the same renewed good intentions.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:11 am

      Oh yes, with everything else, too. I’ll get the house organized, cook a better meal, exercise more, eat better… on and on. 

  8. Tricia says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:09 am

    You are not the only one. But it is such a lonely place. But each day we try again. And that is what matters. 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:12 am

      It feels like it’s just me… but from all the support on this post- I see I’m far from alone. That helps. 

  9. Julie says

    February 20, 2013 at 8:06 am

    I’m not a parent yet but I wish on a daily basis for more patience (more than I already  have) because of people making not the best decisions around me.  Its life and each day I’ll just have to try again to make sure we’re all doing our best.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:12 am

      Oh yes, and pre-kids it was all about wanting to do better the next day with something- exercise or organization. 

  10. Making It Work Mom says

    February 20, 2013 at 8:12 am

    I bet you do a lot better than you think. If you were really that impatient w ith the boys they would eventually lose that noisy childish exuberance so they didn’t get the yelling in return. But apparently you do not yell that much because they are still your noisy rough and tumble boys.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:13 am

      I never thought about it like that. Thank you so much for that perspective. It helps so much. xo 

  11. Kimberly says

    February 20, 2013 at 8:14 am

    I’m right there with you. Some days I wish I could have a do over, and actually keep the yelling at bay. They know our love and our heart though, and that matters above all.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:14 am

      It’s just so hard to refrain from yelling. I try, but it seems I always fail. 

  12. Kerry Ann @Vinobaby's Voice says

    February 20, 2013 at 8:26 am

    I know I’m guilty of that far too often.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Seems like a lot of us feel this way- makes me feel better! 

  13. Kim@Co-Pilot Mom says

    February 20, 2013 at 8:53 am

    I wish for do-overs days, too. I just think that if I could do it one more time I would have said *this* instead or I wouldn’t have said *that.* I think it just comes along with this whole motherhood thing, doesn’t it? 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Motherhood is definitely a learning experience! 

  14. OneMommy says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:07 am

    Oh, you are definitely NOT alone!
    There are many nights where I find myself promising to do better the next day. To not yell as much. To play and laugh with them more.
    All I can really hope is that they remember all the fun we had together and not the times I yelled at them.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:18 am

      That’s the hope here, too. 

  15. Cindi says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:18 am

    I think you just said every Mother’s nightly prayer.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:19 am

      Who knew motherhood was this hard? 

  16. JDaniel4's Mom says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:27 am

    You are not alone. I rejoice at the end of the day when the good choices I make out balance my mistakes.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:19 am

      That makes me feel better. You always seem to me like a mom who has it together. So knowing even you make mistakes is comforting. 

  17. Kim Young says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:39 am

    I know exactly how you feel. Bedtime is especially difficult. I tell myself I will do better tomorrow, but it is usually just a repeat. 🙁

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:20 am

      It’s like by a certain point in the night, I’m just DONE. 

  18. AnnMarie says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:42 am

    God, I hope it is not just the end of the days that is remembered. You are so in my head with this one. It’s a daily prayer at night, “Please, God, let tomorrow be better, let me be better tomorrow.” You are most definitely not alone.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:21 am

      It’s so hard at the end of the night. I lose whatever patience I can muster during the rest of the day. 

  19. Teresa says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:01 am

    It’s as if *I* wrote this. seriously. I have really been trying to be SLOW to anger, but I have such a fast tongue. 🙁 Every mother is tried, and it is very apparent that you love those sweet ones so much. If we didn’t question ourselves, I think THAT would be bad parenting. Ugh, being a mommy is SO hard. Keep your chin up and focus on the good. 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:48 am

      I react way too quickly. I’m trying to work on it. 

  20. Marta says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:19 am

    You are so, so not alone. I have thought this, I have done this, I have written this. It does all balance out, and you can’t punish yourself. You just have to be better the next day. That’s all that any of us can do!

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:49 am

      None of us can be perfect, I just wish I could be better! 

  21. Natalie says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:21 am

    Not alone at all. I didn’t have patience before kids and I think I have even less now! I hate that end-of-the-day guilt when you realize just how many times you screwed up throughout the day. And if we can remember it and improve – even a little – every day? I think that makes us damn good moms.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:50 am

      It’s just so. freaking. hard. 

  22. NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:22 am

    I thin every mother has been there. FWIW, I’m sure my mom lost her patience with me, but I don’t remember it. I remember her playing, the food she made, and the love she gave.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:50 am

      I don’t really remember mine losing hers, either. And I imagine she had to. My brothers and I liked to find trouble. 

  23. Kir says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:27 am

    yes. YES. Always, every day. I pray and promise, more patience, more ME, more of the stuff that counts.
    To the boys, to the writing, to John, to MYSELF.
    It isn’t always easy, but I think that the KNOWING that we need to do it is the first step every single day…and when our rope is fried, we remember the shoulders of the people beside us that are struggling with it too..and we lean.

    LOVE YOU. xoxo

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:51 am

      That’s so true- knowing we need to change can be a first step. If we don’t think we need to improve, that’s probably where the problems come in. 

  24. chimomwriter says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I have the same conversation with myself nearly every night. The kids are acting exactly like they should at 4 and 2, and yet I always end up yelling. Even in the moment, I can see where I’m heading and it’s just so difficult to turn it around. I’m endlessly thankful that my kids are forgiving and happy to see me in the morning.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:52 am

      It is totally normal kid-behavior. I try to remind myself that they aren’t doing anything on purpose to irritate me, it’s my issue, not theirs. 

  25. Jessica says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Everyday I wish I had more patience with my kids. Somedays it seems I do better than others. 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:52 am

      Some days do seem easier than others. Yesterday was a LONG day.

  26. Lisa Consiglio Ryan says

    February 20, 2013 at 10:52 am

    Your post, Shell, is hitting home for me…I totally get it. I, too, end up every night thinking about the day, what went right, wrong, are my kids happy? Sometimes I put so much pressure on being the best mom possible, but that only leads to more stress for me and the kids. I’ve been trying to let go more, really be present, listen (since I’m sometimes plugging away on my laptop!) more, and if I yell or lose patience, I try to forgive myself. It’s hard, but we can do it. Thanks, Shell, for your honesty.
    PS. What a cutie!

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:53 am

      We can always do better. It’s hard not to put that pressure on ourselves to continually be better and better. 

  27. Andrea says

    February 20, 2013 at 11:01 am

    Oh, goodness, no. You’re SO not the only one. I love this post. Thanks for the reminder that I’M not the only one, either. :>

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:53 am

      Seems like so many of us are in the same boat! 

  28. Natalie says

    February 20, 2013 at 11:01 am

    I had the same emotions this morning…I’m not feeling well and I felt like Nolan was just trying to do everything to bug me…sigh there is always tomorrow right? We can keep trying.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:54 am

      Oh and when we’re sick- it’s even harder. xo 

  29. MiMi says

    February 20, 2013 at 11:10 am

    Anyone who is a mom knows exactly where you’re coming from.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:55 am

      It really seems like so many of us go through this. Makes me feel like less of a bad mommy.

  30. Kathleen says

    February 20, 2013 at 11:22 am

    Bless your sweet heart! Oh how I have been there and I do the same thing sometimes even with my grandchildren… I’ve been praying for patience for years and the Lord has blessed me. I’ve come a long way but I have a way to go. God’s not done with me yet but when I talk to my four grown children they seem to remember the good over the bad… I think we’re harder on ourselves than our children are on us in the long run. Thanks for sharing your heart. Your children will rise up and call you blessed 🙂 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:59 am

      Oh, how I could use more patience! 

  31. Keely says

    February 20, 2013 at 11:35 am

    Almost. Every. Night. I mean, my gals didn’t ask for an over-caffeinated, impatient multitasker who can’t say no to new projects. This morning my 3 year old told her little sister- “Just gimme TWO MINUTES, okay?!” And I kinda wept in the corner.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 10:59 am

      I hate when I hear my boys say things like that that I know they got from me! 

  32. Coreen says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    So well said. I actually got a little choked up. This is me, almost every morning. I get so frustrated with my oldest because he is moves slow in the morning, and notices everything so he stops getting ready for school to pick up a toy or kick a soccer ball and I yell. And he looks at me like I’m breaking his heart because he isn’t doing it on purpose to piss me off. Thank you for sharing, it helps knowing I’m not the only one beating myself up.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:00 am

      Oh yes, the mornings. When I’m rushing my boys out the door and OMG, can’t you just find your shoes???? Stop playing on the iPad and get your backpack! Get out the door! Now!!! 

      Every. single. morning. 

  33. Emmy says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    No, no, no and no– to answer all of your questions.  No, you are not the only mom I do that same thing everyday.

    My mom was so patient I don’t ever remember her getting upset.  When I got married my dad even gave me a father’s blessing and one of the things he said is that I would learn to have patience like my mother.

    Well almost 12 years later and I am still learning– still ending way too many days with too many regreets, to many needed promises to do it better.  

    But you know sometimes I wonder if I just don’t remember the times my mom lost her patience– maybe I knew she loved me so much and that she cared about me that over time that is all I remember.  It gives me hope that as long as I do keep trying, do keep praying for that patience which eludes me too often– that someday my kids will remember me as being so patient and loving. 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:01 am

      I like to think that- that you just don’t remember and that our kids won’t remember either. That they’ll just remember the love. 

  34. angela says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    I wish for do-overs a lot. I am much harder on myself during the bad days than I give myself credit for on the good ones.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Oh, for sure! In all things, yes. 

  35. Tracie says

    February 20, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    If you figure out where patience hides, I hope you will share the secret with me. I sorely needed that this week.  You are not alone.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Seems like there should be a patience pill or something. 

  36. Venassa says

    February 20, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    I feel completely the same way. The worst part is, I lose my patience with my daughter thinking she’s just being cranky and whiny, soon after I realize it’s because she’s not feeling good then I feel like the worst mother in the world. 

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:03 am

      I hate when that happens. Mine are always the crankiest at the beginning of an illness. 

  37. Rachel says

    February 20, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    This post is very honest and brave. You are not alone. You have so much compassion for your kids, it’s clear. I hope that you can find compassion for yourself too. You deserve it!

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Thank you. I hadn’t thought of it like that. 

  38. Kelly says

    February 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Many days I wish I could take things back or have a redo. But we are only human. I have been working on the same thing and with God’s acceptance, love, and guidance, I think I can do better. But there will alway be those times where I wish I could have done it differently. It’s part of being a mom, part of wanting to be a better person. I like you, always secretly hope it’s just not me 😉

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:04 am

      From all the comments today, I’d say we definitely are not alone! 

  39. Kimberly says

    February 20, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    So true! Yesterday was one of those days for me. My kids (and everybody else) were on my last nerve. They really weren’t even being that bad, I was just tired of being ignored, tired of them doing things I’ve repeatedly told them not to, etc. And I snapped at them, again and again and again. Don’t know if it was hormonal or what? But I feel like I yell at them so much. Sometimes I wonder if that is what they know of me, someone who yells? Which is the complete opposite of how I am otherwise. I am even-keel. A sweet, nice person, as everybody used to always say. But do my kids know that? With 4 kids there is always someone to correct, get onto, discipline, whatever. I just go from one thing/person to the next with something negative to say it seems and it makes for a not real happy mom either. But how to change it? It’s really hard. I agree – I hope all the other moments outweigh the negative. It DOES usually all come together at bedtime. Books, prayers, and mother/daughter chats – once they’re FINALLY ready. And then I don’t have time for those things, but I do them anyway. I think they’re worth it. Then hubby is bothered because he doesn’t know what’s taking me so long. Sorry dear, but those moments are critical. If that’s the hour that they come then so be it. But 30 minutes before that? Not so pretty. I think all of us moms share your feelings on this one.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:09 am

      It really is so comforting to know we’re not alone. 

  40. Jennifer says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    And you are SO not alone. For real.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:09 am

      I can see that now. There’s always the worry that some perfect mom will come in and be like you yell at your kids? You’re a terrible mom. 

  41. ilene says

    February 20, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    I feel like I go through this every day  Every single day.  But I will keep trying too, just like you.  

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:09 am

      Yup. Every. single. day. 

  42. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says

    February 21, 2013 at 3:33 am

    You are definitely not alone Shell. I feel like I go through this every single day – every single day I make that promise to myself and my boys that I will try harder the next day and not yell and not lose my patience. Sometimes I don’t, sometimes I do. We keep trying.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:11 am

      I guess that’s all we can do! 

  43. Joshua says

    February 21, 2013 at 10:15 am

    “At the end of the night, when the house is quiet, I tell myself I will do better tomorrow.”

    Amen. To all of it.

    • Shell says

      February 21, 2013 at 11:11 am

      So nice to hear I’m not alone. 

  44. Xiomara| Equis Place says

    February 21, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I definitely go through this too, believe me you. Just as it makes you feel better to hear that you’re not the only one going through this, reading all the comments from moms who go through the same thing makes me feel better too. Being a parent is not easy! We are not perfect! Those are the two most important things to remember. You children wake up loving you no matter what. It’s also important to be firm with them, especially when it’s bedtime. My son cries hysterically and asks for milk and juice and cereal and markers and paper all when it’s time to go to sleep. It can get really frustrating, and I often yell too, but we cannot beat ourselves up over it. We, as moms, heap way too much guilt upon ourselves. Thank you for sharing these words…because I was literally thinking and feeling the same way the other night… watching my son as he peacefully slept I felt badly for how things had gone right before then. But he woke up happy and loving the next morning. It will all be okay!

  45. Adrienne says

    February 21, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    I feel like this is me every single day. I lose my patience often during school, b/c I know that the whining and complaining wouldn’t happen in a regular classroom. Those are the days I want to drive to the nearest public school, throw my kid our at the front office, and pull away as fast as I can. Then, the day winds down and find myself realizing they’re just kids. It’s so hard to the moms we want to be in our hearts, but I think we have to remember it’s the heart that really matters. God knows our hearts and even at the end of a long day the boys know our hearts too. I hope anyway. 

    I was too afraid to hit publish on my post yesterday. I had one drafted but I’m still not at peace about it. So…I baked instead. 

  46. Charlotte says

    February 21, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    *HUGS* 

    Sounds like you could use a good squeeze. Every time I come here I think of what a wonderful mom you are. I have to imagine it’s only natural to lose your patience now and again. And pausing/counting to 10 is a lesson in self-editing I don’t know that I can do myself. 

    At the end of the day, take pride and comfort in the fact that you are raising boys who know just how much you love them. And they love you all the same, even if mommy has an off day every now and then. 

    XOXO you are a wonderful mom, Shell. 

  47. Mare says

    February 21, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    At the end of the day, we all have regrets about how we mothered our kids that day. You are part of a BIG family. 🙂 Don’t beat yourself up too badly. God’s mercies are new every day.

  48. Angie says

    February 21, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Sigh. I know this feeling all too often. Not too long ago I actually had to apologize to Zach bc I got angry at him over something trivial

  49. Teresa says

    February 21, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    Oh my goodness, I feel this way ALL THE TIME. Not just at home, but at work. Like, what could I have done better? A MILLION THINGS.

    Today, I got all worked up about laptops not being plugged in properly. Because I’ve told them again and again how to put them up. Told them I was gonna lose my mind. Took a deep breath. Changed my tone of voice, the bell rang, and I told them all to have a nice day. One of them noticed and say, “Wow. You changed moods quickly.” I just laughed and said, “Yep. I calm down pretty quickly. Just have to take a deep breath and move on.” But honestly, why do I get worked up over something so little in the first place?

  50. Kristen says

    February 21, 2013 at 8:55 pm

    You just went over mine and most of my friend’s day to day lives. It is so hard to be everything we want/need to be for our families. Some days I can keep my cool and sometimes I have steam blowing from my ears.

  51. Tayarra says

    February 21, 2013 at 10:31 pm

    I have been fighting this same battle lately and being really critical of myself. I’m trying to focus on the good and remember that none of us are perfect.

  52. mommylisa says

    February 22, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    No – you are NOT alone. 

  53. Mary @ A Teachable Mom says

    February 22, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    Nope, not alone. And we’ll all do better tomorrow. Hugs to you. And all of us (or at least me ;-)).  

  54. Stephanie @ Babe's Rockin' Mami says

    February 28, 2013 at 10:43 pm

    Oh goodness, how I can relate!!

Trackbacks

  1. Called Myself Beautiful. « Lost and Forgotten says:
    February 20, 2013 at 10:14 am

    […] Linked with Just Write and Pour Your Heart Out […]

Welcome to Things I Can't Say: Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom. I'm Shell. Boy mom, beach girl, bookworm, ball games, baker, brand ambassador, Thinking yoga, food, and travel should start with "b," too. Finding the easiest way to do some things while overthinking so many others. Read More…

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