Why is it that no matter how stupid something is at work, or goes awry, or really aggravates me I usually keep my composure or react in a civil manner. However, whenever something goes wrong within my very special, sweet and precious family you'd think I had been violated in the worst way. I lash out viciously, taking no prisoners. HOW COULD THEY HAVE DONE SUCH A THING! or WHY DID YOU DO THAT!??!
Here are some examples:
1. The stereo is sounding pretty static filled as we are driving to Arizona and the podcast I was playing was barely audible when from the back seat a sweet, thoughtful question arises, "Dad, you want to borrow my MP3 player?" WHAT!!! How dare he ask such a question. Doesn't he know that he only has a 1GB MP3 player and I am playing my podcast from my super awesome 80GB IPOD???? Doesn't he know that it's not the player but the junky FM transceiver that we are using??? So, I say (in a very sarcastic, I mean VERY sarcastic tone) "Why would I need that when I have my Ipod?"
2. We are eating muffins at about 76 mph down I-25 toward Albuquerque when I look over and am apparently so appalled at what I see I lash out at my wonderful oldest daughter, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" as I spy her evilness pulling something off her muffin and putting it on a napkin. Doesn't she know that the car is already a mess? Doesn't she know that there is nothing like spinach in these wonderful tasting muffins? Why doesn't she think??
3. I am home from a long drive from Arizona...It's bed time...I am walking down stairs and find, are you prepared for this? It's not for the squeamish. I find 4 paper airplanes on the ground! There were 2 little boys that were making/playing with these not 30 minutes ago. I absolutely lose it. "Little boys, get down here!!" Don't they know our house is a mess? Don't they know how much work has to be done on it? Don't they see that added mess is so, so, so...messy???
4. I overhear my wife talking on the phone. The voice and tone she's using indicates it's not a friend that she's talking to...more like a phone sales person. But, she's being free with our information and talking about different times of day. "who was that?", I asked. She explains that it was a college kid that dropped by the house while I was gone that does some painting. She was going to get a free estimate. WHAT!!! Isn't it tough enough to try to protect this family and she is inviting potential murderers to our house? How could she be so naive? What is she thinking? So, I promptly and loudly made my opinions known!
Wow, aren't those 4 absolutely justifiable reasons for blowing your top and making everyone upset?
I don't understand why I can't keep my cool with my family at least as well as I do at work. I would prefer even better than work. Sad, huh???
Thoughts? Suggestions?
2 comments:
i have to say sometimes I get pritty mad because you yell at some one or me. But i'm trying to get bitter about it and i'm sorry.
lane
WOW.. Do you remember the morning you were at my house (i miss those morning prayer times), and Maddie and her brother were doing unbelievable things.. like playing and talking!
I really lost it and in a non-friendly tone asked her why she had to cause her brother to scream and yell!
You told me then that maybe I should think before I talk to her... consider what she is doing right before I see what she is doing that is so unforgivable. Basically you told me to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. Somewhere in James...
Well I still struggle with my attitude of wondering how these kids could do such things... but I try to take 3-5 deep breathes before saying anything... Hopefully with time, this will bring about a change in my attitude as well.
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