Friday, March 27, 2009

Are you happy?

In an effort to control Emma without beating her bottom, I started teaching her about feelings and telling her that she was "Making Mommy angry" if she was getting close to a spanking. Surprisingly this worked. Unfortunately, she's obsessed with happy. About 100 times a day she asks, "Are you happy, mommy?" Most of the time it is when she is pushing her limits, but today was not.
I planned for her to spend the night with my mom. She is really clingy right now. She wants mommy 24/7. So I wasn't surprised when I told her in the morning she would spend the night with Mama she asked if I was coming and since I wasn't she didn't want to go. I figured she would change her mind when she saw my mom, since Emma really does love her and have fun with her. She still didn't want to go, so we bribed her with McDonald's on the way to Mama's house. That did the trick, she happily packed her bag and jumped into Mama's car. I waved goodbye from the porch so my mom rolled down Emma's window. Emma yelled "Are you happy, Mommy?" My heart broke! Of course I answered "Yes I am happy, have fun!" but then I started thinking, did I have an unhappy look on my face or was she unhappy? I know she had fun and it is good for both of us to have time apart, but I have felt guilty ever since.

1 comment:

Jaime said...

i know, that's so tough to do, but it's good for the kids and us mamas! i always feel like a new person when i get a break, then I'm a really "happy mama"!