In other news...

[gothams3rdrobin]

I was, perhaps, being somewhat selfish and unkind today.

Here's why; we headed to the leisure centre this morning for Rowan's swimming lesson (all over now! *cheers*) and dance class (no more till April 5th, due to Easter break! *happily anticipates sleeping in for the next couple of saturdays*), and I agreed to bring my Nintendo DS with us so Rowan could play it during the period in between. When it was time for dance, Rowan carried it upstairs to the hall, and continued to play it until the class began. By which time, he'd let another lad, who was there as his sister was also taking part, play with it.

Now, keep in mind that this is my DS. And I'd finished my last Torchwood novel downstairs in the café, so I'd been expecting to while away the hour's session playing on it, but thought it would be rather rude of me to insist Rowan get it back from his friend. Add to that the fact he sat out two dance routines in a row to sit on the floor alongside the kid and watch him play, and you have one somewhat pissed Sammi. I grabbed his attention, and spoke to him away from the kid and his family, informing him that he had to get back out there and dance or we were taking my DS and going home.

I may have been being somewhat harsh and overbearing, but I wasn't sitting there for an hour, having paid the attendance fees, only to have him watch someone play Nintendo!

We had an appointment at the hairdressers this afternoon; both Rowan, myself and Mam. So Rowan no longer looks like a ginger scarecrow! *grins* As for me...well, it's shorter than it was. I'm awful at deciding how I want my hair, as I have quite a fat face. Plus I had my hair really short towards the end of my teens, and my friends quickly let me know that this was a Bad Idea *chuckles* Since then I've kept it at least shoulder length, usually with some layers in the hope of giving it some body, but I can never find a style I'm happy with. I would have liked to add some colour this time out, but Mam had only booked me in for a cut and dry (we hadn't actually discussed what I might get done, so I can't really complain) and I couldn't afford it anyway. My cut and Rowan's combined cost me about twenty two quid, as it was. *sigh*

My father-in-law is working tomorrow, so Rowan's staying home with me. Which means I don't have to get up early tomorrow! *sighs with relief*

Note to the Nancy applicants on 'I'd Do Anything': don't try pleading with John Barrowman. He doesn't like it, and it won't endear you to him. If his gut instinct is telling him you're not ready? You. Are. Not. Ready. Okay?

Comments

[phoebesmum.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'm quite glad that you do try to instil some discipline into Rowan. You may be the last mother on earth who does!

I'd Do Anything isn't going to be half as much fun as the Joseph show. The cute boys getting all emotional was what made it so compelling! *has met both Lee and Daniel* *smug*

Whatever happens with your hair, it has to look better than anything I do with my hair. Ever!

[gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com]

I often feel like I'm being too strict on him though... *sigh* He's only doing what comes naturally to a six year old after all.

I'm currently having to keep from yelling at him, since his idea of cleaning his room is to throw his Magnetix around...*pinches nose*

I'm not sure if I'm gonna stick with this one either. I find the audition rounds painful, and the school's quite awful too. I almost want to cry as I watch John wander around the room tapping the failed applicants on the shoulder.

*snugs* We'll just have to have bad-hair decades together, what do you say? ;-)

[laylee.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sitting there for an hour, having paid the attendance fees, only to have him watch someone play Nintendo!

That's perfectly reasonable. You've paid good money for these classes and it's not like you have huge amounts to spread around. Plus, is it your DS!

[gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com]

It's only three pounds a session, which is a bargain really, but yeah. Some weeks I am having to make sure I have enough left over to pay for it, since I also have to do my food shopping on Saturdays.

It is! But then, I don't want to unwittingly teach him to be all "Mine!" with his stuff. I'm very protective of what belongs to me - possibly because I essentially grew up as an only child myself - but I recognise that's not always healthy.

[suchthefangirl.livejournal.com]

You were not the least bit selfish or unkind, you were a parent. Rowan is the child and hence, it is your job to teach him appropriate behavior . You were, in fact, very nice in that it was your DS and he had no right to lend it out without your permission.

Don't be so hard on yourself, you are dong an excellent job.

[gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com]

Well, I couldn't embarrass him in front of his friends, could I? *sighs* Plus I didn't want the kids parents, and any others sitting near, to think I was some kind of mean bitch. His parents thanked me at the end, for letting him use it - probably grateful that he sat quietly for the hour! ;-)

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

I don't think that was harsh at all *shrugs* I know I sure as hell wouldn't have let that continue. He can watch someone play at ANY time.

[gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com]

I often think that the trouble I have with him is because I'm too strict - weird as that sounds. I did manage an entire week recently where I managed not to raise my voice with him, and we did great - it just all fell apart when we visited my parents, since my Mam's on his back a heck of a lot more than I am. I get very stressed, knowing she's going to be on his back so much, and he picks up on that and does exactly what I fear. *sigh*

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

Well, let me put it this way - my mum was pretty damned strict with me. I got my backside spanked good and proper when I went *around the block* to a friend's place once without telling her first. I think she only did that the once, but the threat of it was enough to make me behave.

On the other hand, my brother seemed to get away with damned near EVERYTHING. You know who the problem child is now. :p

I mean, yeah, part of it is also down to individual personality, too. I'm more introverted, James is way more outspoken. Setting boundaries is very important - setting *consistent* ones even moreso. I think you're doing just fine :)

[gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com]

Rowan's fairly extroverted - at least a lot of the time. And he doesn't take well to anyone stopping him from doing what he enjoys - typical six year old boy, expecting the world to confirm to his expectations and wishes.

It's not that he's a bad boy, 'cause he's not. It's just we have a lot of personality clashes - he's the only person I can actually have a fully-fledged argument with, and you know how hard those are for me. *chuckles* I do try to be consistent and I explain till I'm blue in the face exactly why things have to be the way I say they are. Hopefully he'll get the idea before too much longer...