Marshall: "You're Killing Me"

"You're killing me."  This is a phrase that Richard and I have jokingly used with each other for probably our entire eight years of marriage.  It is also a phrase that Marshall has heard in my moments of complete exasperation with him.  Now I hear him tell me this probably 20 times a day.  Richard and I have stopped saying this entirely now; I don't know if Marshall will ever stop saying it.  Big parenting mistake, apparently.  

Oh Marshall.  He has taken Richard and I on quite the parenting adventure these last six weeks.  At age one and two Marshall was such a happy-go-lucky kid.  He was so well behaved and really such an easy, easy child.  All of that changed the night before Bridget was born.  I kid you not.  Its been almost 2 1/2 years and I think Marshall has yet to adjust to having a sibling and some days I am honestly terrified to walk in the door with another sibling in less than 10 weeks.  

Don't get me wrong, he is still generally a kid good, but boy oh boy, he pushes me to my limit and beyond some days.  It just so happens that we've had a lot of those days these last six weeks.  

We have discovered that Marshall doesn't do so well with change, even if that change is good.  He has a little anxious personality.  I don't know where he gets this from; clearly not Richard or me.  :)  These last six weeks have brought a lot of change and even more changes are headed his way.  He and Bridget were sick for ten straight days, then Richard and I were sick for six, but in between those days of health he got a new bunk bed, and a new bike.  Preschool also ended two weeks ago.  Ahead of him he still has two of his dear friends moving, both in the same week, and of course, a new baby coming by August 9th.  Its a lot to deal with, especially when you are four, and you hate change, right?

Marshall, in his rage, said a couple of things to me the week leading up to Mother's Day, fitting, I know.  

One morning after about a 45 minute temper tantrum because he wanted to wear his pull-up all day he informed me that I was a bad mom and he wanted me to move to a different state.  I texted Richard and told him this idea sounded very appealing and that I just might leave.  

Also that same week the kids and I were eating dinner and Marshall, yet again, informed me that I was a bad mom.  Here's how our conversation went...

Me:  "Let's think about all of the things I do for you.  I get you food, I take you fun places, I read with you, color with you, do puzzles with you."

Marshall:  "Now let's talk about the things you don't do for me.  You don't get me cereal at night."

Complaint number one, no cereal at night, oh geez.  And, I am terrified for our future years if at age four he is quick enough to say, "Now let's talk about the things you don't do for me."  I'm seriously in trouble.

Despite all of this though, we are making progress and things are getting better a bit at a time.  We instituted a sticker chart (these have always worked wonders for him).  He gets a sticker for having a happy morning (we have defined a happy morning) and he gets a sticker for having a happy night (again, with specifics).  When his chart is full he gets to go miniature golfing with Richard.  We've been doing this for almost two weeks and just today he reached the halfway point.  He had a horrible night yesterday, but thankfully, a happy morning.

We've also started a job chart for Monday through Friday and a small allowance every week, 25 cents (slave labor!) if he does one job each day.  He really bought into this last week.  One morning he was so excited about vacuuming the couches he did it while Bridget and I were still eating breakfast!  I had to force myself to stay in my chair and just enjoy breakfast, but I did, and he did a great job and was thrilled with his work.  

Lest you think this is an entirely negative post about my son and the woes he is causing me at the young age of four, don't worry.  I still adore him, he amazes me every day with the things he knows and quickly catches on to, he has such sweet moments with us, and I do love him.

New bike, complete with an Angry Bird helmet.

Can you tell he loves Angry Birds?

New bunk bed!  Thankfully, he loves it.  He rotates between the top and bottom bunks and does great either way.  In just a few short months he'll be getting a roommate, his dear sister.  Wish us luck.  Yikes.

I think he's happy here, but this is usually the face he makes right before he hits her.

Preschool graduation!  I am SO glad that we made the choice to send Marshall to preschool.  He learned so much, he always looked forward to it, and while he is still shy and quiet, he made huge progress! 

A playgroup outing to Yo-Mama and their story time.  He looks good in pink glasses.  :)

Here's the happy Marshall we know and love.  I do love him.

This is his preschool picnic that began with a short singing program.  Marshall didn't say a word or do any actions until the last song.  He looks thrilled. 

  Well, I think all of this writing was very therapeutic for me.  I promise to write of more positive things next time.  :)