Today's Journey: Picking my Battles

Today was just an ordinary day. Got up, did some running around, and then we decided to make the 45 minute trek down to visit my mom and step-dad (mainly because my Aunt was there visiting). What started off as good, quickly turned into animosity and irritation! Now don't get it twisted, I love my mother. But she gets under my skin, as I am sure Lot of mothers do. My 18 month old son has never been swimming, or in a pool for that matter, so today was the big "first time" in the pool. Yes, I have another child, an I have been through this before, but for my other half, it was important that we both be there, and we both go through my 18month olds fist time together. As we were getting ready to hit the water, I remind my mom to not get him in the water until we get out there. So I get some smart ass comment back like "I know what I am doing, he wants to get in." Then from behind her comes the smart ass comment from her husband- "oh he's fine, we can get him in the pool." I was furious, to say the least. So I changed, and as I was ready to go out my mom came back in the house for something and I unleashed! I just wanted her to understand how this was an important first for us as parents, and I wanted her to respect that. We be termed back and forth her point that I treat he like she doesn't know what she is doing with my kids (which I obviously do- I mean I came out alright:)) and my point that I want to be respected as a parent, as an adult who knows what I am doing and what I want for my kids. We got not where- the conversation/argument ended with the "whatever's" and we want on about our afternoon. It was a waste of time- I should have thought out my words and my thoughts more before starting a battle. Point in case- pick your battles, and make sure that what you are fixing to battle about with someone is worth it! The other part of that- is make sure that if you plan on battling or challenging someone that the person you are up against is someone that you are not going to permanently scar the relationship, because sometimes in a battle/argument the words start falling out of your mouth, uncontrollably, and those are usually the ones that cut the lowest, and hurt the worst. I was careful with my words today, but that might have just been luck on my side....