Zac FINALLY got braces on. Not only did he get braces, but he got this contraption in his mouth to assist in getting his jaw into alignment. It’s called a Herbst Appliance. Have you seen these things?
He came home the other night and opened wide to show Ron and Ron said, “What the … I’ve never seen anything like THAT before.” It is a mouth full o metal I tell ya. Looks a little space age.
So basically … I’m the one in the house who doesn’t understand what he’s going through because … well … I never even had braces. Luckily … I had very straight teeth without the assistance of braces.
So last night was Zac’s second night with all this crap in his mouth and he was bitching NON-STOP. I had a long day, I was tired … and I couldn’t take it anymore. I lit him up.
I told him he was being a wuss … and that I knew it hurt but it’s not like we’re going to go demand that it be taken off just because it’s painful. That we didn’t do this for FUN because God knows it’s not fun to hear him bitch. Then I said, “I want you to embrace the fact that you will have this for the next 8-10 months and try to figure out ways to help me help you instead of wallowing in your own shit.”
My very black and white - straight A student asks, “Mom … what’s wollowing in shit?” I said … “take a shit and then roll around in it … that’d be wollowing in shit”.
I think THAT is when I crossed the line over to the BAD MOM side of the family equation. I know this because Ron said I might have been a teensy tiny bit harsher than I needed to be.
So this morning … I apologized for being TOO harsh and promptly followed it up with … but everything I said was 100% truth. Next time, I’ll try to find a kinder way to tell you that you suck.
THAT is how I will win Mom of the Year in 2009 *wink*
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17 Comments
Ha Ha actually as a person who was sitting next to you during your first conversation with the Boy about this I thought you handled it very well
Everything you said was true and you spelled out in his language so he could understand. You were sensitive to his discomfort while trying to explain the big picture. You did good MOM!!!
My oldest son is going to need serious orthadontia and I know something like that contraption is going to come here sometime soon. I hope I can contain myself.
Welcome to the dark side-the BAD mom side. LOL!!! I did this recently with my oldest son who is 12 and driving me crazy with his schooling. I laid it out pretty straight forward, and my husband said I was a bit harsh. Well, life is rough-sooner or later they need things explained in their terms and learn how to cope. And I am not all that patient anymore. Good job on telling it like it is. LOL!!! Sooner or later we’ll figure this parenting thing out, eh? And really, who needs to win mother of the year? How about BAD ASS Momma of the year instead? LOL! Great post!
Thank goodness I’m not the ONLY one that goes to the dark side
Cathy - you WERE with me when he called the first day after his friends saw it. I have a witness - haha
Cathy (noble pig) - oh just wait. I don’t know that there is anything you can do to prep them for it either. He asked US for braces and we were just waiting for all his teeth to come out. That boy has the slowest teeth EVER. I can tell you that since I snapped, things have been better. I made turkey tortilla soup (without the tortillas) for him yesterday and since we’re going to Pismo next week, he’s already planning on all the chowder he can have. I think we MIGHT be on the right track now. I think it might have also been when I told him that his cousin has been in braces for SEVEN years and that SHE had to wear a headgear that made him realize that he doesn’t have it THAT bad.
MrsChattyPants … I LOVE the BAD ASS Momma of the Year award. I think I’ll make it my mission to strive for THAT one instead this year. I bet I could attain that one!!
Mom, lay off the coffee. Sheesh. Your son is being assimilated by the Borg. C’mon.
Kristy I love your honesty! I like that you said help me to help you. Luckily I have perfect teeth and never had to have braces esp. back in the day when we had to get major contraptions - hey Zac is lucky that they have better tech today - so a little a pain but in the long run it will be SO much better for him. Gezzz 8 months will go fast!!! We are already in May 09 I remember it just being Dec. 08 OMG time is rockin hard & fast these days WOW! Look our FAST our Fashion Industry has CHANGED!! MAJOR so many BTQs & Stores are O-U-T it’s crazy. I second that - You did good MOM!!!
Patience is not my strong point?!?!?! OMG Kristy you are patient! I remember those 3 sample sales where you & MLP got hosed!!! Gezzzzzzz we ALL got hosed MAJOR! That was crazy the Hollywood/Highland one…. Ohhhh I don’t want to remember. Erase Erase! Haa Haaa Ohhh it’s hilarious to think about…. now
Thank you Sebastian :D. Sometimes as a parent you just SNAP … but just because you are snapping doesn’t mean you aren’t being honest.
As far as those shows go … I was boiling on the inside, but figured you can’t do TOO much about it and just have to laugh it off. Life happens.
Ive been a BAD MOM for the last 12 years! Welcome to the dark side! Braces = SUCK!
I second all the “at least he doesn’t have to wear headgear” comments. I had to wear headgear (not to school, though, thank goodness!) for a year and then a series of increasingly smaller rubber bands for another year. 8-10 months is nothing! Lucky kid!
My daughter is on the other end of this spectrum … just got her braces off. Yes, they said 18 months and it was 26. Yes, by the time all of the metal was cemented to her teeth, the tissue from the oral surgery was restoring itself the same incorrect way it was previously and she had to have the oral surgery (roof of her mouth, no less!) repeated. And yes, there was much Jamba Juice after ortho appointments (my dad took me to the Doggie Diner for milkshakes when I was in that phase), and of course there were the new hair highlights to offset the pain of the last few appointments. But, as a neutral party mother, can I just tell you, it was worth every one of those 600,000 cents for the whole experience.
You just said it straight…I don’t think my mom ever even said anything…well, maybe she did…Or perhaps she just went in the other room and opened a bottle of wine.
Not quite sure…have to ask.
I had braces for nearly 3 years…and I’m with Camille - at least he doesn’t have to wear headgear…I did!
As if I weren’t already nerd enough.
It hurt everytime we went for a tightening…I’m sure that is why I was such a brat!!!
goodluck withthat
Well I feel Zacs pain I had the head gear and Kristy was even meaner to me. Love you anyway sis.
kristy,
i had a bad mom and you are nothing like she was. not even close. so the next time you feel like a bad mom, call me and i’ll come by and whack you upside your head. with a dental hammer. or have zac call and i’ll whack him.
love you.
lindaloohoo
hahaha … THAT is so not true (and if it is … it’s BECAUSE YOU DESERVED IT).
Love you and can’t wait to see you this weekend :-D.
ummm, kristy? was your latest remark directed at me or your bro??? cause i don’t think i deserved a bad mom, but you do know me, so maybe i did . . .
Hahah - definately to my bro. I am sure nobody deserves a bad mom - just bad sisters and brothers ;).