The other day my daughter was grouchy, sniping at me. This use to make me crazy. We wanted to go to the video store but it was closed because their computer broke. So we were standing in line at a red box after a long day. She kept making sharp remarks and I finally used my famous parenting line that goes something like this, all I do for you and this is your attitude? i want to forget this and just go home, why are you so grouchy? Her answer, I had a long day and I am tired and I just want to go home. Turns out she had a sore throat, she was very tense from a test where she spaced out on one of the answers and she did not feel good. So what is so remarkable about this?
I have witnessed in myself when my child has a bad attitude, I am afraid to let it go without remark as though then somehow she will think bad attitudes are ok? huh? Now when I am tired or feel sick or both and I am a little short, I except her to be patient and kind and she usually is. Yet when she acts in ways I do for similar reasons, I think a lecture is required? Why is that?
I just saw a trailer for a movie where the parent does the same thing so I sense this is universal. When my daughter told me why she was being so grouchy, it literally shut my mouth, like, duh?! of course when we don’t feel well we can be grumpy. I am highlighting this as it point to a double standard I feel is often in place with children, do as I say not as I do. Just something to pay attention to and maybe give the kid a break.