Friday, October 31, 2014

The Conundrum of Parenthood

Today started out great but it sure isn't ending up that way.

Had an interview this morning. Killed it. Came home to find my son STRAIGHT CHILLIN in his drawz. WTF??? I was in such shock I couldn't even move - lucky for him. I do remember telling him he had 3 minutes to get his clothes on and get his ass to school and he was outta here in 2. I managed to get myself together enough not to let it bother me for the rest of the day and I wondered if he would be smart enough to stay out til curfew. I mean CLEARLY he was gonna be on punishment. That's a given, right?

This boy strolls up around 5:30, two girls in tow and his best friend at the door. He tells me he needs to get something for him. Fine, get it... but you know you not going with them, right? All hell breaks loose. He wants to negotiate if he gets to go out tonight, because its Halloween, he will be on punishment for the next 2 weeks. Oh, silly, misguided child LOL. This is not up for discussion. He had the nerve to say "I could just leave," as in what am I really gonna do if he did. "How long would I be on punishment for?" I'm sure there is no caption for the look I gave him other than (in my Wyclef voice) "Someone please call 911."

At that point I texted his father because in 3,2,1, he was gonna need to come get what would be left of this little muthafucka. He called and spoke to him, made him apologize and all has been quiet, aside from a few groans, ever since. Here is my problem with that:

I love my kids father... with a grain of salt LOL.... but why does it take for him to call and threaten you for you to act like you got some gotdamn sense? Why am I the parent you live with, who supplies ALL of your day to day needs, gets you where you need to go, answers your random ass questions and makes all the sacrifices and you don't feel an obligation to be just as obedient in a heated moment because I can keep composed and not knock your fucken teeth down your throat? Is that really what it comes down to? I mean don't get me wrong, I aint got no problem fucking a 16 year old boy up. HOWEVER I am of the mindset that it should not be necessary. I'm wired to think past the moment to the repercussions and I know there is no scenario in which that would end well, so as much as it is a full body and soul struggle, I maintain my composure.

It is rare that I find myself in this situation. My kids are both generally respectful and obedient as anyone who knows them would tell you. That being said, my son is 16 and we are all well aware that kids at that age will try their parents. Every now and then he gets to feeling himself and every once in a rare while he loses his gotdamn mind. This is the second time as I recall.

A third will end differently.