Road Rage. We've all seen it, heard about it and, if we're honest, have experienced it a time or two. It may not be volatile; it may be subtle, more a pounding of the steering wheel, a choice word or two, a honking of the horn. And most of us are guilty. You've heard the phrase, "your sins will find you out." Well, with children, I find that my "sins" find me much sooner!
I'm driving along, minding my own business, when all of a sudden this car pulls out, cutting me off!
"What!" I shout. "Oh, Come ON! Idiot!"
My five-year-old in the back seat had been telling me something, when my sudden outburst shocks him. "I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry."
Instant remorse. "No, honey, it's okay. Mommy's not yelling at you. There was a bad driver and mommy got frustrated. It's okay."
"Alright, mom," comes his hesitant voice from the back. I glance in the rear-view mirror and he's staring back at me warily. I'm feeling about 2 inches high.
Or, the other day I'm stuck behind this slow driver, once again with my five-year-old in the back, and not thinking I say, "Come on, Grandpa!"
His innocent reply was, "Is it Grandpa Vaughn or Grandpa Smith?" (Names were changed to protect the innocent).
"Uh," I stutter, "it's neither, honey. Just some slow driver." And it dawns on me. Next time I could be shouting at my own father! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
Sigh.....It's tough to remember that there are always little people with big ears listening. It amazes me how much children pick up of the things around them. They are so smart and so bright! We need to guard our tongues and be careful of what our actions say. And next time I'm following a slow driver......I'll take a deep breath and try to relax. You never know who it may turn out to be!
I'm driving along, minding my own business, when all of a sudden this car pulls out, cutting me off!
"What!" I shout. "Oh, Come ON! Idiot!"
My five-year-old in the back seat had been telling me something, when my sudden outburst shocks him. "I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry."
Instant remorse. "No, honey, it's okay. Mommy's not yelling at you. There was a bad driver and mommy got frustrated. It's okay."
"Alright, mom," comes his hesitant voice from the back. I glance in the rear-view mirror and he's staring back at me warily. I'm feeling about 2 inches high.
Or, the other day I'm stuck behind this slow driver, once again with my five-year-old in the back, and not thinking I say, "Come on, Grandpa!"
His innocent reply was, "Is it Grandpa Vaughn or Grandpa Smith?" (Names were changed to protect the innocent).
"Uh," I stutter, "it's neither, honey. Just some slow driver." And it dawns on me. Next time I could be shouting at my own father! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
Sigh.....It's tough to remember that there are always little people with big ears listening. It amazes me how much children pick up of the things around them. They are so smart and so bright! We need to guard our tongues and be careful of what our actions say. And next time I'm following a slow driver......I'll take a deep breath and try to relax. You never know who it may turn out to be!
6 comments:
I'll have to be careful when I'm driving in case I'm in front of you and going to slow. I'd hate for you to use my name in vain. LOL
Why is it that driving and not getting up tight,is one of the most difficult things to do? Could it be that I always leave a little late? LOL I always think that it will only take 5mins to get where I'm going and when I leave, by the time I've got my shoes, coat, and gathered whatever else I need to take, amd get in the car my driving time is all used up and you guessed it I'm now in a panic and driving like a maniac (sp) to get where I'm going. I always have good intentions of leaving in plenty of time but there you go, my thought process of I can fit one more thing in kicks in and wha-laa, I'm late. Anyway all that to say, that all those words that come out of my mouth with that expression of rage or frustation, are not really who I am and I find myself saying "who said that, me, wait a minute I'm really a nice person".LOL Well your blog this morning makes me realize that those little ears might be listening. I wouldn't want to be the down fall of such precious little lives. LOL Well I'd better run because true to form I am now running a little late for my next appointment.LOL Do you think that I can ever change? Looks pretty grim, hey? LOL
ym
This is very true! Little people DO have big ears!
I remember hearing a talk about someone who placed a rock on their dashboard (no not to throw at the other drivers) that was MY thought! It was there to remind them a scripture..."He who has no sin, cast the first stone." It helped them out a lot? Me? I would be tempted to throw the rock! LOL! Lord please help us all!
ym, this is the closest I come to swearing! I tell ya, it's like a whole different person behind that wheel. And I'm sorry to say, but I don't believe that change will happen. For all the good intentions in the world, I had to change my last name before I started being on time! LOLOL! I'm afraid that until you ditch the last name.....you've coined your own phrase - runnin' on ****** time! Enough said!
Miss, a rock? Nice weapon of choice! I have to admit, the idea has merit! LOL! I think I need to work on my attitude. :-)
Mairiane
OH so true. My kids are all grown up and I can't remember them ever repeating the things I wanted them to hear. LOL I guess that must be God's way of getting even with us for losing our cool. LOL You have to chuckle at it though. It's kind of shocking at first but when you finally get it stopped and they grow up, it can be some of your funniest memories. LOL Looking at it from their little eyes, they problable think that they have just learned something really important, LOL
ym
Oh Marianne, LOLOL! That's too funny! It seems kids are always picking up on the stuff we wish they'd overlook! I'm not sure why that is. Anyone who's had kids knows that there are no "secrets" with them. They'll air all your dirty laundry for the world to see! LOL! Part of that innocence is what makes them so sweet....but I tell ya, I've wanted for the earth to open up and swallow me, I've been so embarrassed at times! I guess they keep us honest! LOL!
Shauna,
You're so sweet re: my stories... They're available at The Wild Rose Press -- You can see them both at my author page there (http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/authors/MarianneArkins.htm).
I think DH's problem is that he assumes we're all as successful as Nora Roberts or Dan Brown... Uh... not yet, but I have high hopes!
If you still have problems, email me marianne @ mariannearkins.com (w/o spaces, of course).
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