Today is Wednesday! Woooo Whoooo! Last day of the work week for me. It's been a little hectic at work. I can't say that it's stressful, but there is tension. I think I already talked about it in an earlier post.
So, it's the last day of the work week and I'm thrilled. I just put Sami to bed, and it's 9:30 pm so I'm hoping that she'll sleep pas 6:30 am. I kept her up as long as I could, hoping to really tire her out. I'll report back later.
I left work a few minutes early so I could take some dinner to Scott during his break. I felt so bad for him when he came out to the truck. He looked so hot and so miserable. He told me that it was terribly hot in the shop. He's been hanging pipe in the ceiling so you know it's worse up there. So, he sat in the Excursion with me and the kids and had his subway for dinner. Then, back to the furnace they call a shop. He's out in 20 minutes and I can't wait for him to get home so he can take a cool shower and just relax in the AC. The thermostat is set at 67 degrees, baby!
After going to Graphite we stopped at Walmart. Jourdan has been going crazy worrying about her supplies she'll need for church camp. Paul is sending her to church camp, which is great. I'm glad that she gets to go. The problem is that she has a list about a mile long of things that she needs to take to camp. Guess who has to supply all that stuff? You know!
So, we stopped at Walmart so she could buy shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothpaste, sun lotion, and I don't know what else....a big pile of stuff. She also wanted a new swim suit, but they didn't have anything that complimented her figure. So, we are opting for a different store....we'll see if we can find anything.
Almost $100 later we left Walmart. If I remember right, it costs about $200 for camp and Paul had asked me to pay for half. It was really bad timing too, right when we were paying him for the truck for Jason. Yes, Scott and I had to buy the truck from Paul for Paul's son. No big surprise there, right? So, that was at a bad time. I started thinking that by the time I buy her all this little stuff, new swimsuit, new japflaps, a new bag to carry her stuff in, and whatever else she needs I'm going to be into it for as much as he paid for camp. Still, I'm the bad guy for not paying.
You know, this is leading me to a good topic of discussion. I think that when your kids don't live with you you tend to forget how expensive children can be. I don't think that Paul has a clue as to how much running I do for the kids and how expensive they are. I just paid half the cost of football camp and then paid for Jason's football pack from Under Armor that was $74.00. This is not to mention the new tennis shoes he needs, cleats for football season, the girdle, chin strap, and Pink Arrow Jersey (that'll cost around $200).
So, kids are not cheap. I guess when you only think of yourself and have little contact with your kids you tend to forget. I'm not saying that all non-custodial parents are this way....but that's the life I'm living...and have been living for a long time. Beth, I know you can probably relate to what I'm saying.
Not long ago I was accused of over-compensating when it comes to my kids. Over-compensating for what they have to deal with when they are with their dad and over-compensating because of the childhood that I had. It was meant as an insult at the time, but I can't really wrap my mind around it being an insult.
It may be true that I have over-compensated with my kids, but seriously...what is wrong with that? I have good kids. Oh, they can be real shitheads sometimes...but who isn't? We all have our moments. When it comes down to it, I try to remind myself that even though I have made mistakes, I have given my kids a pretty good life. They are good kids, they could have a little more respect but what teenager isn't mouthy sometimes?
I know I've done right by my kids. I'm not perfect and I've screwed up, but they know I love them!
I've been thinking alot about this lately. Must be because Jason is heading into his senior year in high school. Before you know it, kids are all grown up and you don't really matter anymore. They still love you, but you just aren't important. Savor every moment with your kids. Because your first grader will be graduating High School in the blink of an eye!
I can absolutely relate, Tracy. My ex, also a Paul, lives his life the way he wants. I'm raising the kids and he's buying them gifts. He's pretty good about sharing the extra expenses, when I ask him; but he thinks that overspending for birthdays and Christmas makes up for his not being with them. Those are his words, not mine.
ReplyDeleteI play mommy and daddy, set the rules, mete out the discipline, run the household, get yelled at by the kids, told I'm hated, and receive the threats that they're running away unless they get their way. :) Paul gets the praise and glory for sending expensive gifts.
I'm not complaining, I love every minute I spend with my kids - good or bad - and, yes, there are times when I overcompensate, even though I know I shouldn't. But, like you, I've done a good job so far. I still have a long way to go, and I will make more mistakes along the way; but I realized something the other day that made me smile from ear to ear.
As much as the kids complain to me, about me, the first thing they think of when someone outside the house mentions their mom is love. They're always telling people how much I love them, and they're always drawing me hearts and giving me heart gifts. I know I'm on the right track; just as you are. Keep up the good work.