The Definition of Insanity

On of my favorite quotes is "the definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior expecting a different outcome."  I find that many people, including myself, have and will be guilty of doing this.  I repeat the same behavior, along with my kids on a daily basis.  I don't exactly expect the outcome to be different but the insanity is definitely there!  As I pick up the toys strewn about and put them in the bin for the millionth time, this quote flashes into my thoughts.  This is totally random because I don't actually think that things need to change necessarily.  As I told my husband the other day while I was ranting and raving while cleaning the living room, "I don't want them to not have stuff because I'm being a nazi about tidiness.  I want them to have a normal childhood and enjoy the things they should be enjoying as children.  I just plan on complaining about it the whole time!"  That's basically it in a nutshell.  They will make messes and I will yell at them (because I am a loudmouth) and complain about the house being a big sty.  My daughter will follow me around saying "oh mommy, I'm sorry, I will help you clean it up, we were just playing." (because she is a mommy pleaser).  I will say "it's okay honey, I'm just frustrated. It'll be fine, I'm not mad at you guys.(because I don't want her develope a complex).  We will hug it out and kiss eachother and maybe a whole 15 minutes will go by before this scenario replays itself again.  Do I feel a little bit like the quote?  Well I guess most mothers do.  Mother's who care enough to complain at least.
As I'm writing this right now I hear the shuffle of my one year old coming down the hall.  She is particularly good at harassing me when I am on the laptop so I sit here really still in my corner of the living room, and I see her pass by only a few feet away.  She spots a necklace on the floor in the entryway, something I have not gotten around to picking up yet while ranting about pig sties.  Lucky for me she beelines for it, picks it up and starts heading back to the bedroom again to join the other two troublemakers (I use this term lovingly).  I realize I am smiling from ear to ear and holding my breath.  I am as quiet as a church mouse.  As she shuffles back down the hallway I let out a quiet sigh and a little "yes!!!" outloud.  Does hiding from your one year old so she doesn't spot you and start the proverbial browbeating seem wrong or just cowardly?  I'll take cowardly for $200, repeat that behavior and let the insanity insue!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!!! I certainly did!