Boys Only

Thanksgiving

What a magical time of year. Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and Christmastime! Of course, there's also my birthday. Very excited. Last year my best present was from Andrea... if you know what I mean... sure hoping Ed won't try to give me the same gift.

This year, and every year after I suppose, we're going to my mum's home. Very excited to do so, I miss my mum a lot, but I get to see her. I suppose I could spend time with Andrea's parents, but I never really got to know them, and I don't exactly know where their house is, or their telephone number. I'll find it one of these days, but this week, busy as we are, I don't think I'll get to that.

I have to get everyone packed up and headed out the door by 8:00 AM sharp tomorrow morning, to be able to drive to mum's house and get there at noon. That's when she wanted us there, and so be it. She's my rock, and I wouldn't want to disappoint her. I set out all the luggage we'd be needing, and called all my boys downstairs. "We need to get packing. That means 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, a set of nice clothing, an appropriate amount of undergarments, and socks! Don't forget socks!"

Each of my boys set off to pack. I can see that they're old enough, so I go to start on my own.

Thanksgiving Day

I shouldn't have trusted the boys to pack for themselves. They all did, after getting persuaded by a quick smacking. Liam was my only who actually did as he was told, and God bless him for it. But, I'm struggling with keeping my temper under control as we near my mum's. "How much longerrrrrrr?" Harry whined. Oh my goodness. No. Stop asking. We don't just get to places and keep driving. Come on Har, you're 7. Think more.

"Not there yet." I snapped, gripping the wheel tighter. Ed had run out of games and stories a while back, and we are all still stuck in what I am currently calling Hell on Wheels. Finally, FINALLY, we pull up to my mum's. I parked the car, and quickly got out and got everyone unbuckled. We can get luggage later. I made sure all of my kids were with me before walking up to the door and knocking.

"I thought we'd never get here! That was boring as hell!" I heard my youngest shoot out with. I knelt down to his hight quicker than you could snap your fingers. "Harry, that is very rude, you do not-" Harry cut me off, using a mocking voice that I've never heard him use before. "Cut that out!" I growled, before hearing the same in a higher pitched tone. "Harry, that's it, you're in so much-" and he cut me off again. Fine. He wants to have a rude little mouth? I quickly backhanded him in the face, and pointed my finger at him. "And you're getting a spanking. I won't stand for this."

I heard a gasp, and looked up to see my mum standing there. "Why don't you boys go in... I'll um... I'll handle this, hm?" I heard my mum's soothing tone. I stood back to my full height, but kept a tight grasp on Harry's wrist. He was completely silent. The powerful woman in front of myself popped out her hip and crossed her arms at me. "Sorry you had to see that, the rest of this punishment will be in private." I said, knowing full well that all three of us knew what that meant. Bare spanking, and a hard one.

"I'm sorry, you'll be doing more than hitting your child today?" She asked, in a queer, fake shocked tone. "If he's going to have a lip, he can handle the consequences. Simple as. Whenever I had a lip, you-" my mum held up her hand. "I'm sorry but I'm completely against backhanding. Hitting a child in the face is a lot different than the bum. Lots of little bones and places to bruise and very impersonal. The only place I believe it's acceptable to hit is the bottom."

I looked at her, completely shocked of what she just said. "It's a parenting method! What else do you expect me to do, let him run his mouth at me until the cows come home? No offense, but I'm standing by my decision. As a parent, I have a right to punish my children as I see fit. I would never hit hard enough to bruise or break anything. Just enough to leave a reminder to keep the mouth in check." My mum stared at me for a second, before re-crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at me.