I love my kids to bits, and sometimes they are incredibly sweet, caring, understanding, and mature beyond their years. At other times, they are completely infuriating, and drive me up the wall.

Case in point today, I said I wanted to listen in to some parent ‘TED Talks’ at night, so wanted to put them to bed early. The kids insisted on following me to the ‘TED Talks’ and promised they would be quiet – either reading (Big Boy O) or drawing (Baby F). And they were largely super calm and nice during the talks. And I was quite proud of them.

Then after we got home, the kids got into a ridiculous fight over a balloon and a string. And it all went pear-shaped when each accused the other of sabotaging / destroying their balloons, and started screaming and crying that it was unfair… regardless of what solution I proposed. There was just no making anyone happy. One child or the other would be crying and claiming I was favouring the other, or that things were unfair.

And all the while, I was worried about was getting them to bed so I could do at least *some* work, and also the fact that if they sleep late today, they would be in a poor shape for their solo performances the next day. And the logistics of additional rehearsal, their classes, lunch, and change for the concert. And also the logistics around class drop off, and the two calls I have tomorrow, one of which I would have to read a paper, and do at least some work today, ahead of the call tomorrow.

Maybe they were just too tired by the end of the day. But they are constantly arguing and debating with me about wanting to do more (e.g. swimming and football), and being more involved (e.g. attending the parent ‘TED Talk’ instead of sleeping). Perhaps I give in too easily. But I did think it’s good for them to be active and do some sports, to diffuse their energy after a long day of concentration on violin. And I wasn’t sure that they would actually sleep – rather than create chaos – if I left them in bed and went for the parent talk on my own. Talk about damned if you do, and damned if you don’t!