But retreating to bed isn't an option.
Not when I have 3 pixies with running taps for noses which, for reasons best known to themselves, they are unable to wipe. I am keeping up their doses of Nurofen and water whilst laundering handkerchiefs and topping up the tissue supply.
And they are fractious. Squabbling abounds. I'm tired of adjudicating disputes. And separating warring parties. Not to mention dodging little hands swinging my way.
I'm horrified to see such behavior. I can't believe what I'm seeing. This isn't how we've raised them.
And in the midst of it all, we're trying to 'hold the line' as we implement the 'traffic light' system for managing their behavior. Joshie and India have it at school so we're doing it at home as well. Mr PB and I have dubbed it 'Operation Pushback' as we establish firmer boundaries of acceptable behavior to promote family harmony.
This is India's creation. We all have our own feathers. You'll see a certain pink feather is now on the yellow light. With one warning down and two to go before it's moved down to red.
I won't tell you how that pixie made it to yellow. Let's just say I'd like to erase this morning from my memory banks. Forever.
Operation Pushback is hard. Especially when we're all crook. But needs must.
I'm not prone to such negative posts, am I? But in the spirit of keeping it real and letting you know you're not alone in experiencing the frustrations of parenting, I'm hitting 'Publish' now.
And now I'm off to arbitrate/wipe noses etc. Wish me luck!
