It Ain't All Roses...

This past Saturday night, Scott and I actually got out on a date with some friends of ours from Grand Rapids (thanks for a great time Kristy and Greg!! We had a blast!!). My parents were kind enough to take all the girls for a sleep over. Usually, this is a great time had by all...okay, except maybe my dad who has to put up with three girlie-girls running around his house on full speed. Unfortunately, when we called to check in the next morning with my parents, we were surprised and disappointed to find out that not only had Alison and Sammi started a fight over which mattress they were going to sleep on, Sammi had also thrown a major hissy fit for her Grandma Kemp. Oh, how I hate hearing that my own mother had to see THAT. It makes you feel like such a failure as a parent.

So much for the pink bunny squeeze!!

Needless to say, the girls' sunny disposition disappeared when Scott and I arrived at my parents house and took them all home immediately. And the really sad part was my dad had made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and Scott didn't even get one (okay, I snuck one while the girls were "getting it" - I admit it)!

Once in the car, Scott proceeded to informed the two guilty parties of their punishment: no tv for a week, no bikes for at least a week, no sleepovers, no play dates, and confinement to their room for the entire day on Sunday....

...Wait...did he just say what I think he said.

"You have to stay in your room all day today"...yep, that is what he said. I have to be honest - when I heard him say it, I cringed. I mean, who was he punishing anyway...us or them? But a "united front" was what we had decided to present, so a united front we would be.

It started out sweetly...two little girls with their wounded prides playing together.

Aaahhhh....but you knew it couldn't be THAT easy.

About 30 minutes later, all hell broke loose and girls were screaming, legs were kicking and someone was holding onto someone else's toy with a grip of death. As I usually do, I started for the bedroom...then I paused just long enough to hear Madison say to no one in particular:

"They are either going to learn to get along

or they're going to kill each other".

Hmmmm...I believe a parenting lesson was being sent my way so I chose to let it play out. I waited in the hallway to find out which direction it was going to go...do I call my parents with a victorious story of calm, cool parenting techniques that even Super Nanny would be proud of or do I call 911 and hope they get here before Sammi ends up looking like her armless, hairless Barbie doll?

Much to my surprise and relief, they managed to not only get along most of the day, but take naps at the same time and "read" each other books before bedtime. Amazingly enough, no blood was shed and no one had to be threatened with her life!!

I know we are not the only parents that have these moments with their kids, but when they strike, they really make you questions your ability to parent, not to mention your sanity. Where is that little instruction booklet that we were supposed to get when we brought our kids into this world? If you have my copy, let me know what tips are disclosed in the chapter on "sweet lil stubborn girls", would you?