OMG-I think I may be suffering from schizophrenia. One minute, I feel just fine, the next I'm super sensitive and blowing something out of proportion. Or I'm confused because I feel like I have a right to be upset or put out when Bulldog does something insensitive, and then I get all discombobulated when I remember that he's feeling uber stressed right now too. Then, I feel bad for getting upset and instead think about how terrible he must be feeling for having upset me.
Except that I can't be really sure of that because, in typical man fashion, he has retreated to his office and is saying nothing. I hear his computer keys clicking away. I would love to entertain the fantasy that he is writing me a note of apology but that would just be getting my hopes up for nothing. I have been married to this man for over ten years and have loved him for nearing 13. I know what he is likely, or in this case, not likely to do.
I woke up this morning feeling very sensitive. Over coffee, when he made some joke, I informed him of this in, truly, the nicest way. Not in a "stay out of my way" or a "you've been warned" manner, but in a "please understand I'm feeling a bit fragile" manner. Could he not remember this before he criticized me, especially after I had gotten all dressed up for a date night that we've had only once previously in the last three months? I was in no mood to have dinner with him after that and told him to take me home. He lost even more points, poor man, when he made no other attempt to make up, other than a quick face-saving "I'm sorry" as he pulled up to the front of the restaurant to let me out while he parked, right before I insisted he take me home.
Yes, this is what I'm doing on a Saturday night when I could have been having dinner with my husband-I am writing to you fine folks. No offense, but I'd rather be sipping a pinot grigio and waiting for my salmon.
We got home and I immediately changed out of my black dress and heels, put on a tank top and sweat pants (yeah, right, that will punish him) and ate a dinner of two boiled eggs during which time I told him how he had now dropped the ball repeatedly in my eyes because:
1) he criticized me
2) he didn't offer an appropriate apology
3) he didn't try to convince me to stay
4) he forgot that I needed him to handle me gently today
and finally, (yes, there is an end to my bitching)
5) he spoiled the night entirely
OMG-can DJ's surgery possibly get here any faster so I can dispense with my theatrics?
I proceed to walk to our room where I find some chore or other to occupy my time and I'm trying to hold onto my self-righteous indignation, when an annoyingly mature thought pops into my head:
You know, Bulldog is feeling pretty stressed himself. You could consider that....
Damn it all to hell. Now I can't even be properly mad at him anymore because I have realized my part in this little drama. And I can't possibly go put on that little black dress again because I would feel like a complete ass. The night is what it is. I have to let it go. This evening is definitely collateral damage in what is clearly a bigger battle ahead.
Why share my ridiculousness with you all? In spite of our combined stupidity tonight, I think overall Bulldog and I are doing a fairly decent job. So, if you, as parents, are supporting your child as he or she is transitioning, and sometimes drop the ball in how you handle the stress,consider that there are some fairly normal folks residing somewhere in the USA who are acting a little bit like overgrown toddlers from time to time because they, too, are not perfect; transition of any kind is not easy for anyone involved, whether it's the transition that happens when you give birth to a baby girl, or the transition where the person you knew previously as your son figuratively gives birth to herself, as a grown up girl. In fact, in both cases it can be downright painful. But just when you start to think it's all about you.....remember, others are in this boat too. You're not the only one struggling. OK-lesson learned. Excuse me now while I go apologize to Bulldog.
Except that I can't be really sure of that because, in typical man fashion, he has retreated to his office and is saying nothing. I hear his computer keys clicking away. I would love to entertain the fantasy that he is writing me a note of apology but that would just be getting my hopes up for nothing. I have been married to this man for over ten years and have loved him for nearing 13. I know what he is likely, or in this case, not likely to do.
I woke up this morning feeling very sensitive. Over coffee, when he made some joke, I informed him of this in, truly, the nicest way. Not in a "stay out of my way" or a "you've been warned" manner, but in a "please understand I'm feeling a bit fragile" manner. Could he not remember this before he criticized me, especially after I had gotten all dressed up for a date night that we've had only once previously in the last three months? I was in no mood to have dinner with him after that and told him to take me home. He lost even more points, poor man, when he made no other attempt to make up, other than a quick face-saving "I'm sorry" as he pulled up to the front of the restaurant to let me out while he parked, right before I insisted he take me home.
Yes, this is what I'm doing on a Saturday night when I could have been having dinner with my husband-I am writing to you fine folks. No offense, but I'd rather be sipping a pinot grigio and waiting for my salmon.
We got home and I immediately changed out of my black dress and heels, put on a tank top and sweat pants (yeah, right, that will punish him) and ate a dinner of two boiled eggs during which time I told him how he had now dropped the ball repeatedly in my eyes because:
1) he criticized me
2) he didn't offer an appropriate apology
3) he didn't try to convince me to stay
4) he forgot that I needed him to handle me gently today
and finally, (yes, there is an end to my bitching)
5) he spoiled the night entirely
OMG-can DJ's surgery possibly get here any faster so I can dispense with my theatrics?
I proceed to walk to our room where I find some chore or other to occupy my time and I'm trying to hold onto my self-righteous indignation, when an annoyingly mature thought pops into my head:
You know, Bulldog is feeling pretty stressed himself. You could consider that....
Damn it all to hell. Now I can't even be properly mad at him anymore because I have realized my part in this little drama. And I can't possibly go put on that little black dress again because I would feel like a complete ass. The night is what it is. I have to let it go. This evening is definitely collateral damage in what is clearly a bigger battle ahead.
Why share my ridiculousness with you all? In spite of our combined stupidity tonight, I think overall Bulldog and I are doing a fairly decent job. So, if you, as parents, are supporting your child as he or she is transitioning, and sometimes drop the ball in how you handle the stress,consider that there are some fairly normal folks residing somewhere in the USA who are acting a little bit like overgrown toddlers from time to time because they, too, are not perfect; transition of any kind is not easy for anyone involved, whether it's the transition that happens when you give birth to a baby girl, or the transition where the person you knew previously as your son figuratively gives birth to herself, as a grown up girl. In fact, in both cases it can be downright painful. But just when you start to think it's all about you.....remember, others are in this boat too. You're not the only one struggling. OK-lesson learned. Excuse me now while I go apologize to Bulldog.
This makes me sad. You guys deserved a nice night out together and I suspect the root cause when closely examined was probably a simple matter of over stress for the both of you.
ReplyDeleteIf so, that really SUCKS!
I hope you Both get a do-over. Life is short.
Hon?
ReplyDeleteAs a Mom, and one who also was in your profession I'm sure you've no problems with handling all sorts of traumas... till it comes to your own kids! When that happens, Momma Bear takes over and rational goes right out the window...and that's perfectly OK!
All things considered, hard as it may be, try to lighten up on yourself! You are doing pretty darn good, and so very soon all this will be behind you! Then you and Bulldog can get on with the onerious task of dealing with a perfectly normal teenage girl!