Nice Parent/Mean Parent

Can you guess which one I am? I am the mean parent and I am so tired of it. I want to be the nice one but if you have two nice parents, no one brings any clothes to Florida. When you only have to pack for yourself (Leo), you are automatically the nice parent because you are not stressed out. I will say that while I don't like that he gets to be the nice parent all the time, I am very grateful that he took care of the arrangements for this trip so I can't rag on him too much.

I have taken procrastination to a new level. I think I am in full blown denial that we are leaving tomorrow. I hate packing. It used to be hard enough packing for myself. I do not know how to pack lightly and with Gia in the mix, there is just so much stuff. The other kids don't help much but seem to need to hang out with their friends until the very last minute. I was fine with that since it aided in my procrastination of packing but then...the dreaded question came up, "Can we have a sleepover?" Ugghhh...we are going away for a week and I have million things I need everyone to do so why am I a jerk for saying no?

There are a few families that are meeting in Orlando. One of Nico's best friends isn't going to Florida but we were trying to talk them into coming so they came over. I felt terrible saying no to the sleepover but Nico hasn't done one single thing to help me get ready and he has been notorious this week for needing me to do something for him and not really doing his share around here. My feeling is that the gratitude level should match the inconvenience level. If I have to drive enzymes to his school during Gia's nap, he better be shouting thank yous and hugging and kissing me and not dare ask me to drive him to a friend's house later. Leave it to Nico to get grounded for being disrespectful the weekend before we leave. If he isn't a lawyer with his natural ability to argue, it is just wasted skills.

This, by the way, is a GREAT way to leave for the first part of our trip which is to Leo's mom's. We are staying with her and Arnie from Sunday night until Thursday morning and while there, I am ALWAYS the mean parent. I am also the inept parent who doesn't care if my kids have coats on, eat vegetables or have culture in their lives. Apparently, I also don't know how to dress while in Boca Raton but that is for another discussion. After 22 years of a turbulent relationship, Leo's mom and I are finally on good terms but it takes very little for all of those feelings to come flooding back. We had a great time when they met us in Orlando in November but that was only for two days and we weren't sharing a living space. Usually, I look very forward to going because they babysit every night so Leo and I can have some time alone. It is so nice to go out to eat and then we always end up at the two-story Barnes and Noble which I LOVE! This time we have Gia and as much as my mother-in-law would like to believe that just because they have a genetic link, Gia will automatically love her, the reality is that Gia doesn't stay with many people so I am not sure how much alone time I'll get. I keep getting the image of everyone out having a grand old time with me back in the townhouse with a very crabby baby.

I will most likely not get a chance to blog while gone but I am sure there will be a lot to post when I get back. Wish me luck to survive Spring Break with four kids, a plane ride with a one year old, a husband that doesn't like to do much, no t.v., the inlaws and Orlando where Leo doesn't want to go to any parks (I LOVE the parks because there I am the nice parent). I know...at least I am getting away from Chicago weather so when Gia is crying on the plane, I'll remember that. From Thursday to Sunday we will be with good friends so I am looking forward to some hanging out away from the demands of everyday life. Hopefully, the friends that aren't coming will throw caution to the wind and drive down and crash with us.


While writing this, Nico woke up and apologized for being a jerk (even knowing he is still grounded from hanging out and can't play the xbox until he is done packing) so there is hope that something I said to him got through and he realized he was out of line. I have a feeling I won't be the nice parent until he is away at college...just in time for the others to still bring out the mean parent.