Looks are so deceiving.

Yes, we are happy in this picture (the smiles are real), but if you look at my littlest girl, she is wearing a nightgown.

 

In fact, this early morning began with us dragging her into the car with nothing but a nightgown on.

 

Literally.

No shoes, no nothing.

The kicking, the screaming, the scratching, the tears.

It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut and not jump out of the car on Connecticut Avenue.

You see, the five year old is having some “issues” when it comes to us transitioning into Fall here in Washington DC.

This is not rare for children. Many young children are having transition issues right now.

Socks, long pants, sleeves…it’s ALL TOO MUCH.

I knew I couldn’t spend the morning “talking this out” with her (so rarely does talking work with young children), so we moved it along. How?

Gotta keep your eyes safe from scratching. Gotta keep your privates from getting kicked (men, especially). And you gotta keep a loving and firm stance.

My (silent) mantra is: We Can Get Through This. We Can Get Through This. We Can Get Through This. We Can Get Through This. We Can Get Through This. We Can Get Through This.

We Can Get Through This.

I whisper it while I click her in. I repeat it while I hear her scream, “I HATE YOU!” I declare it as I grit my teeth. I state it as my other children complain.

I say aloud, “We are going to have a great morning,” all evidence to the contrary.

I smile. I lower my shoulders. I take a breath in and a long, slow breath out. I repeat that until my eyelids feel heavier.

I turn on Taylor Swift and realize that, less than two minutes after the skirmish began, everyone is watching the trees go by. Quiet.

When we get to the pumpkin patch, there is more drama (socks and sneakers!), but we make it through…again.

My only desire, in all of this, is to not destroy my relationship with my daughter.

I can endure this shit show. Every day. I can.

And I believe it will get better. I know how to make it better. I know how.

I know that connection is the answer to preventing and healing the drama.

But when I am in the sh!t show, all I do is believe that, “We Can Get Through This.”

My family is tears and smiling pictures.

Isn’t yours?

If you are ready for some support, don’t miss my October “Meghan is turning 40” 3 Sesh Special!

It expires October 31st!