Talking to myself at the end of a long day

And tonight I ask myself this: “Patricia, did we do a good job of modeling patience and understanding for our children tonight?”

And I answer: “Uh, no. No we didn’t.”

“Can we do better tomorrow?”

“I’ll try. But … they’re so whiny. And they argue so much …”

“Patricia …”

“And they never stop needing stuff. And I have so many other things to do. And there aren’t enough hours in the day …”

“Patricia.”

“What? You have to admit they were pretty mouthy tonight. I mean, I’m human. I have my breaking point.”

“Patricia Marie.

“WHAT???”

“Who’s the grownup here?”

“You are. I mean I am. I mean us. The people/person having this lunatic conversation.”

“Right. So can we do better tomorrow?”

“I guess so.”

“Good. Now forgive yourself and wake up tomorrow with a clean slate.”

“Fine. But I hate you for making me be the grownup all the time.”