In continuing with our geriatric themed holidays this year, we attended Uncle Ray and Aunt Clara's New Years Party. We were assigned to perform a 50's dance. We are definately feeling in our "50's" so we started our dance with metamucil, eyeglasses, knee and back brace orthotics, and tylenol. We were home and in bed by 10:00, but it was a happy night.
On Sunday night Sam, Tony and I drove up to Brianhead. Sam had been excited about skiing and I made the mistake of anticipating a happy time together. Instead the anxiety gremlin kicked in and commandeered our happy time. Sam was a total jerk to both of us and refused to participate. That night I went into commander mode and required family game time, scripture study and my clear expectations for the next day: 5 runs, lunch with dad, and another 5 runs. Voila. The clear expectations made all the difference. Sam was pleasant, skied hard, took a selfie with me. I am going to fight the anxiety gremlin. I'm still going to require Sam to do hard things and I will be the drill sargaent mom. But I'm learning my role and the compromises that reduce the anxiety. Next challenge: spring break.
