Thursday, November 25, 2010

Gobbling Up Expectations--Yuck, Those Taste Horrible!

I’m beginning to think I should rename this blog “3 Kids, a Blaaag and I Have Too Many Unrealistic Expectations.” Wow, rather prolific for a blog title. Do you think “3 Kids, a Blaaag and Stupid Expectations” gets the point across? Because that’s what I have … stupid expectations … and lots of them. For example, I thought today being Thanksgiving and all, that I would be participating in some live depiction of a Norman Rockwell painting. Really? “Have we met?” I now ask myself rhetorically.

I found myself with the notion this morning, or rather expectation, that I would be so full of gratitude and happiness this Thanksgiving that it would ooze out of my pores and cover me with a heavy coat of anti-negativity. Unfortunately my resistance to negativity sucks—but I’m trying. I also had the expectation that my 3 girls (3 and under) would likewise be oozing Thanksgiving Day happiness, peace and calmness from their pores, instead of screaming, fighting and telling me to “Shut my pie hole” (in so many words). Children 3 and under can exhibit all 3 positive behaviors mentioned-- sometimes even simultaneously, but typically not when you expect it of them and NOT on most major holidays; which of course … I did expect.

The problem with said expectations manifesting in the way I wanted them to, is that they are completely unrealistic. Why would someone experiencing large hormonal fluctuations (it might be PMS) crossed with sleep deprivation, think she could have a simultaneous abundance of happiness and gratitude? Isn’t that like chewing gum and trying to walk at the same time? Second, why would this same person think her 3 kids, 3 and under would be happy, peaceful and calm (all at once), when 2 out of the 3 children have had fevers and sore throats for 5 straight days, while the 3rd is … well, Laura (those of you who know her are laughing right now). Isn’t that like having 3 kids (twins included) only 23 months apart and expecting little to no chaos? Way to shoot for the moon there Mom!

Now before you say, “Shame on you Erin!” for not being 100% grateful today, may I pause here to explain that I am 98% grateful this Thanksgiving Day. Although not oozing from my pores, I am still grateful for my health (hormone and sleep deprived as it may currently be), my husband (stuck at work all day), 3 hysterical, loving, adorable and relentlessly stubborn girls and for wonderfully supportive family and friends who I love more than all the T-Day pies you can shake a stick at—especially the friends whose home I will soon bombard with 3 grouchy kids and a semi-grouchy, but 98% grateful adult.

We may not be a depiction of Norman Rockwell family bliss this Thanksgiving—but we still have Christmas to aspire to—wait, did I just set another dog gone expectation?

I’m at least 98 ½ percent grateful for those of you who took the time to read this. I love and am grateful for each and every one of you—if you know me, you know that’s the dog gone truth. Happy Thanksgiving!