What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, my a$$ (butt). With teenagers, there’s a whole new take on that saying…What doesn’t kill you is just waiting to sneak up and smack the cr*p (crud) out of you later on. And smack you it will.
In an earlier blog (Leaning Libra) I tell the story of a heart-stopping phone call from the Middle School Principal about a fight after school hours in the field across from the school. It ends up the Principal was calling because he wanted to see the video he heard Older Son had taken of the fight (actually a staged “fight”). Older Son had used poor judgment, but it was a teaching moment and that’s really the purpose that these lapses serve. Here’s what I didn’t tell you: next year, new school, real fight, no phone call, but guess what MY kid did? Smack.
When Younger Son was in kindergarten, I was waiting to pick him up outside the school with the other Moms. Younger Son’s friend’s Mom (who I actually knew) was talking about having sent her family pictures from yesterday of her son’s black and blue face and me being the Mom of the kid who caused it. Totally caught with my pants down. I went in and spoke to the Teacher who said that Younger Son and this other kid were playing tag. Younger Son tagged his friend and the friend fell on the concrete. Younger Son was upset, got help, and went with Other Kid to the Nurse. It was an accident.
Every day Younger Son comes home and I ask him how school was (“fine”) and if anything new happened (“no”). This kid is totally left-brained (right, Joyce?). He is concrete and literal and can’t help it. I asked the wrong question. If I had asked if he had tagged anyone who had fallen down and hurt themselves he would have told me the story. I spent quite some time that day explaining to him examples of “important things you must tell Mom immediately”.
Fast forward to Middle School. I’m talking to the Vice-Principal and he mentions the incident a few days earlier when Younger Son and another kid had an altercation in the hall and had been sent to his office. Smack.
I’m not telling you that my kids never listen to me, or that they don’t ever learn a lesson the first time. I could tell you that but I’m not. The truth of the matter is that all kinds of circumstances arise. Some of them do make you stronger. But there are some situations that are just sitting back waiting for another go at you.
Got kids? Take my advice and don’t believe old sayings (or new songs). Watch your back. Me? I think I’ll head for the kitchen.
Sherbet "Watermelon"
Sherbet “Watermelon”
©www.BakingInATornado.com
Small pineapple sherbet or vanilla ice cream
1.5 quarts raspberry sherbet
Mini chocolate chips
Directions:
*I know the amounts above are ambiguous, but how much you need will depend on the container you use. I have a serving dish that’s about the size and shape of a watermelon half so I use that. You can also use a round bowl as watermelons come in that shape as well. Just make sure you use something that can go in the freezer.
*I know the amounts above are ambiguous, but how much you need will depend on the container you use. I have a serving dish that’s about the size and shape of a watermelon half so I use that. You can also use a round bowl as watermelons come in that shape as well. Just make sure you use something that can go in the freezer.
*Take lime sherbet out of freezer to soften until workable.
*Line the inside of your bowl. I use a few layers of heavy foil with a layer of plastic wrap on top. Make sure your foil and wrap are longer than the bowl and lay out of the bowl (to later use for removal).
*Scoop out lime sherbet (works best to sort of slice it out with a knife) and line the inside of the bowl with a layer of lime sherbet. It’s cold, but works best if you work it around with your hands till fairly smooth. Work quickly so it doesn’t get runny.
*Freeze till set. Meanwhile take pineapple sherbet or vanilla ice cream out of freezer. (I use the vanilla as I like the little bit of creaminess it adds to the flavor of the end result).
*Add a thin layer of white over the green and freeze again to set.
*While the white layer is setting, take out the raspberry sherbet and let soften.
*Put the raspberry sherbet into a large bowl and mix in mini chocolate chips.
*Fill the "watermelon rind" to the top with the raspberry sherbet. Use a knife to flatten the top. Freeze to set. Cover when frozen. Keep in freezer, slice to serve.
*While the white layer is setting, take out the raspberry sherbet and let soften.
*Put the raspberry sherbet into a large bowl and mix in mini chocolate chips.
*Fill the "watermelon rind" to the top with the raspberry sherbet. Use a knife to flatten the top. Freeze to set. Cover when frozen. Keep in freezer, slice to serve.
Sorry to hear about Justin's issues at school; adolescence is such a turbulent time, for both the teenager and the parents! When my twins were 4, I made a sherbet watermelon for their birthday party, and it was a huge hit! Might have to revisit this for their 23rd birthday next year.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you made it through their teenage years. It gives me hope!
DeleteI guess, teenage years are transition years so you really have to keep your cool and patience. For now, just be a good mother and a good friend. They will soon realize your good intentions (love & concern) for them, hopefully sooner.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but stare at your sherbet watermelon. Really looks so yummy!!!
Wise advice, hope they get there sooner rather than later.
DeleteI think it's funny how you mention when he comes home and you ask him how his day was and if something new happened and you get the most generic answers. Of course! I do the same thing with my mom ;) That picture is too funny. Did you make it yourself?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind comments. If I'm making you laugh I'm succeeding. I did make the graphic, I love playing with Print Shop.
DeleteI find as a parent the worst / hardest thing (at least for me) is knowing that when my daughter gives me a look of defiance, i know exactly what she's thinking, i was flashing that look to my mum a not to far back.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit i was one of those "fine" kids, regardless of the question i was asked. School was boring to me, and having been there for 5 hours the last thing i wanted to do was talk about it at home.
Im counting down the days till i ask that question myself.
Lovely post.
Hope you remember what you just said when you start getting your own "fine" answers.
Deletethumbs up
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'll take all the "thumbs up" I can get!
DeleteThey look delicious, great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your support!
DeleteKaren, Oh for the love of kids. I have a daughter (now 18) who excelled at the "rolling of the eyes" and a son (14) who traded in his ability to speak with what I can only describe as "grunts". There MIGHT be hope for my seven year old, simply because he's going on thirty (in his head). Cheers to parenting, eh? I love your post if not only for the fact that you're willing to admit to the imperfections of parenting......but you also love ice cream and chocolate chips. Woo-hoo. We MUST become friends.
ReplyDeleteIf we're friends, you have to share your Circus peanuts/Captain Crunch recipe!
DeleteThis is a cute post. Parenting is not an easy job is it. Even when they're grown up it can be tough.
ReplyDeleteAt this point it seems like the older they get the harder it gets. Hoping that I'm reaching the peak and it starts getting easier before I use the world's supply of flour and sugar.
DeleteWatermelon sherbet looks absolutely Divine!
ReplyDeleteThanks, my kids love it!
DeleteMy brother is the opposite.... Will come home and tell mom the a kid hit him....
ReplyDeleteWhen we get to the bottom of the story, it's my bro who hit the kid first and then got a smack in return! He's a preteen btw!
Those sherbet 'watermelon' look sooooo delicious, I had to stop myself from licking the screen!
Your brother is no different from my kids, nothing is ever their fault!
DeleteAlas. Having teenaged boys is fun, isn't it? There's always a surprise around the corner. I've been inclined to whack a kid with a book more than once. Just keep on truckin', or should I say cookin'? I LOVE that watermelon recipe. It's my daughter's favorite.
ReplyDeleteFun? If this is fun, what would torture be like? LOL
DeleteIt does get better... being 21 I still remember being a brat (and trying to hide those types of things). Now, my relationship with my parents is better then ever- they are my rocks :)
ReplyDeleteI live for the day that my kids call me their rock. Don't want to say what they call me now.
DeleteRaising kids is no picnic! We just do our best :) And some cute sherbet never hurts on a tough day!
ReplyDeleteNo picnic, I get it, LOL!
DeleteThose watermelon ice creams are ridiculously cute! I am a new follower awesome blog
ReplyDeleteThanks, nothing like ice cream and sherbet to refresh this time of year!
Deletecheers
ReplyDeleteHope that "cheers" comes with a cocktail.
DeleteWow this is so cute! Watermelon is my favorite fruit! I will have to make this and treat my lil taste buds hehe
ReplyDeleteWell worth makeing, enjoy!
DeleteEverything looks so dangerously yummy....I always have to watch everytime I go on pinterest (too much good food). Your newest follower from the Monday Mingle.
ReplyDeleteAnissa from Chasing Hailey
http://chasinghailey.blogspot.com/
Thanks Anissa, and I hear you on the pinterest thing.
DeleteWOWWWWW
ReplyDeleteThis watermelon-sherbet looks sooooooooo delicious
Beautiful!
Thanks, my older son can't get enough of it. I end up making it 3 or 4 times between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
DeleteKaren, a lovely one for Food on Friday. Thanks
ReplyDeletePS Although the linky doesn't show thumbnails I have created a Pinboard for all the links where people can see the pix.
Thanks Carole, and for the invitation as well.
Delete