Would you like to hear about how I was on the phone all morning, mostly on hold listening to horrible elevator music because I was trying to resolve an insurance issue? And how after all of that, I’m right back where I started because insurance keeps telling me to call the billing company and the billing company keeps telling me to call insurance? And how while all that was going on my breakfast dishes sat dirty and my laundry sat unfolded and my littlest kids scattered without doing their schoolwork? And how I almost cried while talking to Greg, the billing guy?
No, you really don’t want to hear about all that.
But what I will tell you about is how after such a frustrating morning of feeling incredibly unproductive…I was very much on edge. My kids were at each other, some of them had bad attitudes about their school work, and three out of four didn’t want what I was making for lunch. It is times like this that I struggle with showing my kids how to be godly in the face of frustration. I would never allow them to scream and throw things when they are angry, so in a effort to be a good example, I decided against using their lunch plates as frisbees, and resisted the urge to wad up school papers and shove them onto the floor.
I pretty much told them, “Guys, I’ve had a really frustrating morning on the phone so please work very hard not to cause more frustration. That school work needs to be done whether it’s your favorite thing to do or not, so you’re gonna need to just deal. This is lunch, eat it. And no one…NO ONE will touch each other right now. Is that understood?”
It was understood. In fact, I think we went through an entire five minutes without anyone touching anyone.
After lunch, everyone left the kitchen to finish work or make messes elsewhere and I decided that I needed something to help me get out of my funk. Trust me, I’d been praying since the phone calls began…now I needed to exert some energy on something positive. I flipped on my very much needed Christian radio station and did what I always do for therapy: I cooked.
I had been feeling like we didn’t have any snacks and I was out of some basic stand-bys (like peanut butter) so I got out bowls and started taking out some frustration on bread dough.
Now, not only do I feel like a new woman…I have food prepared for my family. I can’t think of a better therapy session, can you?
I ground some fresh flour in my Nutrimill and got some Honey Whole Wheat Bread started.
In the meantime, I made Peanut Butter, Rice Crispy Treats (with chocolate chips!),
Cream Cheese Salsa Dip and Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins.
I had found a good sale on cream cheese, plus I’m getting a lot of apples in my
Azure Standard order this week, so I made a big bowl of Caramel Apple Dip.
And then the Honey Whole Wheat Bread was done. And I felt better.
Now, when Matt gets home from work, not only am I going to be a lot less grumpy, the house is gonna smell like I’ve been baking.
The moral of the story is this: When you are frustrated, work very hard not to take the frustration out on your family…do something productive with that energy instead. And then go eat some fresh bread with butter. Lots of butter.
That’s good advise laura! It’s so easy to yell and get grumpy and so hard to be the adult lol! thanks for the encouragement!
The food looks yummy too!
oh man today I made pumpkin rolls and bread and then I made pumpkin butter. we so could have cooked together. school got done but the laundry will have to wait. today I needed time in the kitchen to make me feel good
Dear Laura, You have heard me say it before, but I am so glad that it is not just me. Love your post! And if you need a bulldog on the phone, call Rose. She’ll get your mission accomplished.
Love it, will think about this more often when, I get frustrated. Which can be often at our house. Can totally relate I have 3 boys and a girl (9,6, 4 & 4).
You win, I yelled at the kids today when they wouldn’t listen for the 3rd time. And after they ended up touching each other or hitting each other for the millionth time this morning I separated them and made them play without each other for 30 minutes. It actually worked! They were begging to play with each other after a couple of minutes…
I know exactly what you mean about the frisbees for plates.
Argh…
But cleaning/cooking something does help.
Thanks so much for sharing! I had a very similar day, including having to call our insurance company…ick! I ended up spending the majority of my afternoon working on sewing projects/ Christmas gifts. I needed an attitude adjustment & some productivity in a bad way. Meanwhile, my laundry still sits only halfway done, because, as usual, I forgot about it. Ah well, tomorrow is another day. :o)
It’s amazing how food is the great equalizer. Whenever I feel out of sorts, I want to cook it all better too :) As a Christian mother of 2 toddlers, it is encouraging to hear that it is ok to tell your kids to just “deal” lol, I love it! Trudging the happy road to destiny, hear hear!
Thanks for this post! It is so encouraging to see people face the frustration and come out on top. I’ll remember your story later today, because a similar scene will probably play out in our house.
I spent a good bit of yesterday playing with peanut butter and chocolate. Then after working on the living room for a bit with the kiddos, I spent some time working on my own cookbook.
I love how you tell your kids to just deal. I tell my son that sometimes. He’s 3 1/2, and sometimes he wants to sit right under my arm while I’m doing something, and that’s not exactly possible sometimes. He deals well. Lol. It also reminds me of one of my best friends, she has an 11 year old, and when he doesn’t like what she cooks, she tells him “sorry bout your luck son”
How do you store your bread?
I just put them in big freezer bags in the fridge. They freeze well too, but we go through them pretty quickly so I don’t have a need to freeze them.
Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who is moved to tears of frustration when dealing with difficult customer service, especially insurance issues. I had the same thing happen not too long ago. Thanks for sharing so openly.
Amen. You go, girl. :-) I’m looking forward to the days when “Can you please just handle this yourself?!” will actually be effective in our household. ;-)
{{{HUGS}}}
I just have to say that was a wonderful post. I always enjoy hearing other stay-at-home moms (that also homeschool)talk about the bad days. That might sound strange and no, I don’t want to hear it to make myself feel superior but it makes me feel like I am not alone. And I needed yesterday’s reminder that all those thoughts of doubt and self-pity are coming from Satan and that I just need to stop and pray. I can’t say that I have handled the “I don’t want to do school work or eat this” as gently and calmly (probably the best word here) as you discribed in your post today. Matter of fact, the “I don’t want to eat this” is heard every morning since I stopped buying cereal and started making healthy breakfasts. Thank you for your encouragement…not only with healthy eating but healthy, God centered living!
And I just have to know…how long did it take to make all that stuff?! I am always amazed at how much you can accomplish in the kitchen (I was proud of myself today for making breakfast, throwing pumpkin bread in the oven and all before 8 and that ‘aint’t nothing’ compared to you) and THEN I read where you have a house upside down, company, sporting events and teaching 4. And as a mom (of 4 also) I know the above just scratches the surface.
Oh, one day I will get some kitchen therapy! :) I have a 4-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 9-month old, so for now just getting ONE thing done in the kitchen, un-interrupted is a treat. For now, my solace comes after the kids are in bed, when I listen to my iPod while picking up clutter around the house…. IF the baby will stay asleep! :P