So, just as I was leaving for work, I’m treated to my son screaming at
me at the top of his lungs about how much he hates me and how mean I
am and how I always pick on him and nobody else. Never mind that I
took McDonalds to him at lunch yesterday, since his teacher let him
call from the classroom as he was in tears saying he felt bad and
didn’t want to be at school.

Mean Daddy wouldn’t let him go home to play video games.

This morning’s screaming match was right after I stopped him from
hitting his little brother with a soccer cleat, which in hindsight, I
probably shouldn’t have intervened. I mean, if they beat each other
up, at least they won’t have the energy to scream at me, right?

Instead, I’m at work. My wife was left home to deal with the
aftermath of his / our fit (she and the kids are all off today). A
little guilt, anyone?

But what would I have done, if I stayed home? I was trying hard not
to raise my voice, not to respond to the things he was saying (anyone
with an ADHD child has probably faced The Mouth at some point). But
as I was driving to work, my mind kept going to dark places.

“No TV for him. All day. No, all weekend.
No video games.
Forget the easter candy.
We aren’t going to the carnival, now.
No, we’ll go to the carnival, but he has to stay home.”

Ugly, yes?

Then there were the other thoughts. I’m working a half day today, our
office closing early for Easter. But do I have to go straight home?
Can’t I find something else to do? Why should I rush home to the
child that hates me? That’s giving a ten year old way too much
credit, but he was very VERY credible as he was screaming. A child
like this was the inspiration for Linda Blair’s character in the
Exorcist, I’m certain. Except he didn’t have a crucifix in his hand
or anything like that 🙂

Anyway, I’ll be going home, as scheduled. I’ll probably try and keep
busy – I know the cars need to be washed, I need to change the oil in
my car, the garage needs cleaning, there’s always laundry to wash /
dry / fold. It’ll be fine.