Mommy & Me Time. Must We?

Monday night I went clothes shopping with and for Abby. This always proves to be a most unpleasant experience as Abby and I have quite different tastes. She basically limits herself to skinny jeans and a very specific style of sweatpants. Tops cannot have buttons. Skirts cannot be worn to school. Pink is out, as are ruffles, ribbons and bows. Basically anything remotely "girly."

This clothes shopping experience reminded me of the many other things I dislike doing with Abby:

• Homework, particularly math: Her math homework is difficult and I feel stupid when she asks me for help. And I think she asks for help just to make me feel stupid.
• Driving: The kid has road rage and she's never been behind the wheel. Everytime I slow down she has a fit and I have to explain that it's unacceptable to drive through the vehicle in front of me. To say I'm anxious about her actually driving one day would be an understatement.
• Hair styling: We argue about the length of her hair (I want to cut off about eight three inches; she thinks losing 1/4 inch counts as a hair cut). We argue about brushing her hair. And I am completely unable to manage a decent braid like any good mother should be able to do.
• Family Game Night: If you know anything about my daughter, you know she's competitive. That means when she loses a game, tears and frustration are a given. She usually announces that she's never playing with us again. The exception to this scenario is when we play Set or 24. Then she's unbeatable and the rest of us vow to never play those games again with her.
• Offering my humble opinion: Abby lives for thoroughly enjoys praise.Who doesn't? Generally when she asks me my opinion on something, she's assuming I will gush with compliments. When I offer the slightest bit of constructive feedback, she becomes angry and tells me I'm always "so critical."

I realize this is a fairly lengthy list of trouble spots in my relationship with my daughter, however it's nothing compared to the list that Ian would share, given the opportunity. Perhaps I'll ask him to blog about it someday. Of course that would do nothing to improve their already fragile relationship.

To make me feel better, please share some of those things you particularly dislike doing with your son or daughter. Admit it. It gets near impossible dull always looking for the positive. So pour yourself a glass of wine and let it all out...