Who's in Charge Here?

I have a book next to my 'reading chair,' a.k.a. my 'clothes-awaiting-folding-and-putting-away chair,' titled "Who's the Boss?" It is subtitled, "How to Regain and Maintain Your Parental Authority When Kids Rule the Roost."

After yesterday's shenanigans, I think I'd better move it up my reading list, because the day was not pretty from a parenting standpoint.

First there was the half-naked almost-3-year-old son dancing on my yoga blocks. I posted a (discreet) photo on my Facebook status, prompting my husband to later ask why our youngest son didn't have on any pants. I explained that he had taken off his own underpants and was trying on undies from one of his older brother's dressers. He's pull them on and say "See, they fit," when of course, they didn't. Then he would say, after every try-on, "I'd better put these back or Tob'll get ANGRY."

So after trying on about 10 pairs, he just decided he didn't need any at all. He found an old broken set of headphones, placed them on his head, pulled out my yoga blocks from my dusty 'fitness paraphernalia basket,' and started demonstrating his finest Solid Gold moves.

I put away the work I was attempting to do, got some pants on the boy, and played puzzles with him. Figured if this were a cry for attention, I'd better give him some.

Later in the day, this same son came in from playing outside. This time, he had on pants but nothing else. Yes, it's a warmer-than-usual winter, but clothes are still required for outdoor play. I asked why he took of his coat, hat, shirt, mittens, socks and shoes and he said that the slide was "slippier" this way. It was then I noticed one of our many snow sleds on top of the garage. Fun, in his mind, and catastrophe in mine, was clearly avoided, so I'll put this in the win column.

Only a few hours later there was a knock at my front door. Opposite me stood one of my oldest son's buddies. I was certainly glad to see him but was confused when he told me why he'd walked home from school with Luke. "Toby called this morning and said it was ok with you that I come over."

Well, of course, I always enjoy Luke's friends to come over to play. But why, and when, exactly, was the middle guy making calls and setting up his older brother's social life for him?

My husband of course had the same question when I told him about my day. "Where were you?" he rightly asked. "I was standing right there," I countered. "He'd asked me to help him call Papa and Grandma, and I showed him how he can scroll caller ID to find their number. God only knows who else he may have called this morning!"

Clearly it's time to up the parenting during the day here. So if I don't return your call, your email, or update my Facebook status for the next few months, know that I'm trying to pay a bit more attention around the house here, and I have a few parenting books to devour.

I may be the same woman I was when I woke up yesterday, but, kids, there's a new sheriff in town.

In the words of Rihanna, "I'll drink to that." Cheers, my friends and happy weekend.