I have noticed a really strange pattern of events forming in this house and in fact when I think back it has been happening for some time. Everything is my fault.
Yes everything.
Child stubs toe on piece of furniture. My fault. Why? Because I put the furniture there.
Child bangs head on table. My fault. Why? Because clearly when I told them not to go under the table because they will bang their heads, I didn’t say it loud enough.
The boys lose at football. My fault. How on earth, I’m often not even there. Because it is. I should have/shouldn’t have been there (delete where appropriate) and I jinxed it.
Child does not have favourite piece of clothing to wear. My fault. Why? Because I didn’t manage to wash, dry and iron it within the 48 hours since it was last worn and smothered in mud/tomato sauce/yoghurt.
Child has bad day at school. Yes you guessed it; my fault. I put them in a bad mood before going to school or put something they didn’t like in their lunch box.
Child has large amount of homework which I try to support them with. One hundred per cent my fault. Why? Just because. Because I am there, because I care.
Child is over tired/miserable/hungry/ has fallen out with best friend, all my fault. It is really amazing how I manage to cause so much stress and misery without actually trying or sometimes even being there.
I accept that on occasion I am responsible for the not so nice stuff. As a responsible parent I have to make decisions that aren’t always going to be popular. So, for example, if someone has to go to bed early, do their homework, clear up a mess, not go to something that they really wanted to then I will wholeheartedly take the blame. That is my job as a parent and I am not always going to be the good guy.
Interestingly, I have noticed that this whole blame culture seems to pass daddy by. He never seems to get blamed for things. The children are very quick to blame a whole host of things on poor old mummy, but daddy waltzes in blame free. Well, actually, having thought about that, he doesn’t as I blame everything on him; even when he isn’t there or remotely responsible. Maybe that’s where the children get it from? Daddy’s also has this theory that the children are horrible to the ones they love the most, so I’m guessing that they must love me an awful lot, which is the one positive to come out of this.
However, I will not take responsibility for the things that are quite clearly not my doing and certainly not for the things that I wasn’t even there to witness or cause. Maybe we need to buy a dog and they can start blaming him instead?
Oh dear, this isn’t very nice! I’m pleased to say this is one thing I can’t relate to as my kids have never done this. But I suppose if it means they love you, then that’s definitely a good thing!
This is what happens when parents care too much. Kids refuse to grow up and refuse to accept that life is not a bed of roses. There are some thorns.
This sounds very familiar, but fortunately I only get it from one child so far as C, at 11 months, is still too young to join in. I also have the pleasure of being called a meanie frequently, but I take that to mean I’m doing my job well 😉 And yes it does mean the love you lots too!
This is familiar, but luckily thus far it is only the teen who seems to think I am a master of the universe that sets out to give her bad hair….