I know what it’s like to be in a situation where you feel bad for being the hard ass. It is not easy, but I’m so proud of you for staying strong. I know it was rough during the “during,” but you know you dodged a bullet in the future. You aren’t going to have that problem again, and if you do, I bet all you’ll have to do is say “…Remember the swimming pool?” and that will be that. You just set your bar, sister. Good for you.

Sidenote: If I was at the pool and I saw you do your thing, I would have been like, “Check her out. That lady knows what she’s doing.” And I would have only thought of you as a good parent. Setting boundaries and ground rules for your kids will only help them become better adults.

At least that’s what I think.

And I’m not really sure if that means much. 🙂

Oh, I’m so happy. Thank you so much, Patti!!! You will have to let me know how it goes. I know it’s Diva central at your house just like mine! Divas everywhere!! XOXOXO

I love this…it’s like you are reading my mind! I can’t wait to use the picking out clothes one! Fantastic! You do not disappoint, my friend!

Love..xoxo!

Patti

Why am I not surprised that you were the best babysitter? I’m sure you did nails, played with stickers, MADE stickers, played dress up…etc. etc. In fact, can you come babysit? Wait. Better yet, can you come be our nanny during camp time? And not the nanny for the girls, FOR ME! Do I dare ask what you got at Bendels? I’m scared. I’m excited for my new 2012 snow globe. Don’t tell me what the song is. I like to be surprised on XMAS morning. Don’t tell me…
XOXOXO I always love hearing from you. You are so special to me.

Oh, Mimi! We miss you so much…and the “other Mimi” too. 🙂 (That still makes me laugh). Can you guys come visit one day soon? Come for dinner or just to hang out for a bit? Please come see us!! I love that you liked the post. That means the world to me, especially coming from you since you have (I’m sure) around 30 kids (or more) to deal with every day. Thank you for weighing in. It means so much to me that you did. Now, come over and see your divas!!

i think this is my favorite….as a former babysitter(and a really good one , if i do say so myself!!!), i have used many of those tricks!YOU are the funniest ever in your descriptions, and you are so right in the reactions of the kids!!I love your blogs, you are hilarious, true to you, and so sweet its awesome!!(OH i was @ Bendels today, it was bad , just bad)(i am a lot poorer now:( )

xoxoxox

Katie

(oh and i still love you too……xoxoxo)

Hi Hazel!!!
Ooh…I like scary voice. Sounds a lot like “Parent Voice.” You’re funny.
How crazy is it that you’re reading “Charlie and the Choc Factory????” That is crazy to me that you just happen to be reading it right now. I wonder if that is a sign. Maybe we both need chocolate…??? 🙂

I am a hard-ass mom as well. It is difficult to have our faces up their butts, because then… well, you know what ends up on our faces. Still– We raise the bar high. They learn to launch themselves higher. And people in public have less reason to glare at us and our progeny.

I liked your various techniques, and want to encourage you to add the ‘scary whisper’. This is when Mom, dead calm, says in a voice only slightly higher than the beating of their own hearts, “If I see you doing X again, this will not end well for you.” and then, when they ask “What will happen?”, smile slightly with a steely-eyed smile and ask them back:”What do you think?” This way, you can get a cheat sheet of what they really don’t want to happen, and then use this for later. It’s like some overt spy work, collecting this valuable information.

You are awesome and your kids will later be thankful that their mother did not let them run amok, accommodate regressive behavior, or boss her around. (And oh, the Ooopa-Loompa comment had me laughing. I’m reading “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” aloud to Kiddo and Veruca’s by far my favorite character to voice. Didn’t realize I had a whinging little brat British 8 year old inside me, but apparently, I do!)