Self pity.. please forgive the drama part

[mpete]

I am sorry, but I am going to take a moment and indulge in "self-pity" .... One of my sons just recently decided that he knows everything (yes, he's 18) ... anyhow, besides "picking his girlfriends yard maintenance" over a family emergency, he told me that my goats are "sucking me dry" ... I looked at him, and calmly asked him "besides goats, what do I do for myself" and he replied "nothing, but that still doesn't change the fact that you spend money on them" .... Now this is coming from a kid who did 9 years of wrestling, normal kid stuff, etc. etc. etc. ... Well, after he left I cried so hard I literally passed out (I have a nice little bump to prove it) , I was thinking


**AT LEAST THE ONLY WAY A GOAT CAN BREAK YOUR HEART IS IF THEY DIE**

[Donna1982]

Big giant hug your way. He will one day regret what he said. I hope your night goes better for you. Go give your goats a huge hug and some extra loving. It always makes me feel better.

[Minelson]

That sounds so flip with stabbing hurt I'm sorry. I do remember how stupid I was at that age and the poo-poo (trying not to cuss) I spewed at my mom. (((hugs))) It might be a good time for a night visit with the goats to soothe your nerves after that. He knew which buttons to push.....

[Goat Servant]

Do I feel for you Mpete! Our son was a majorly humongus gluteous maximus all through high school saying needless painful things.
When he joined the Navy I had a private halleluya party complete with dancing.
Took him till he was in his mid 20s to realize he needed to apologize for his buttness.
No goats back then but I sure could have used some of their comfort.
And it's so true, "At least the only way a goat can break your heart is if they die."
Goatie hugs for you my friend.

[LFRJ]

Definitely not coming across as the more loveable of the two, is he.
Sorry for you. It does take some growing and maturing. Just put it in your back pocket and out of your mind....and remind him of it when he has his own herd of whatever one day.

[noeskimo]

So sorry-teenagers are cruel. I had three, all at once (that should be a felony)I should have bought stock in kleenex.The payback, the reward comes with grandchildren.They will make up for everything.Just hang on

[RedSonja]

God made babies cute so we would raise them and love them. Then he turns them into teenagers so we would be glad to let them go.

I'm sorry he said that to you, and I hope one day he realizes how mean that was and apologizes. So what if you spend money on your goats? It's your money and you're entitled to spend it where you want. *hugs* as wanted/needed.

-Sonja

[Alice In TX/MO]

Message for your son:

Goats don't say hurtful things to you. Worth the money.

If he's graduating this spring, pack his bag and leave it on the porch for him after the ceremony.

[prairiedog]

Kids, it seems they have to break your heart to break away on their own sometimes.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

I would have looked at him and told him, "Yes, well I spent plenty of money on you over the years, but I still kept you. At least the goats give back milk."

[nehimama]

What a needlessly mean thing for him to say. Sending you some hugs - (((hugs)))

[Pony]

Augh. So sorry.

I would like to say that he'll come around. He may. He may not.

But you are still a good mom. He's being a doody-head.

I saw one of those cute signs today that reminded me of when my two were that age:

"Teenagers: Tired of being harassed by your parents? ACT NOW!!! Move out, get a job, pay your own way while you still know everything!"

He'll get better, once he's spent a couple of semesters in the school of hard knocks.

In the meantime, you have the support of your goaties and your goatie pals.

{hug}

(now you know why tigers kill their young... )

[beccachow]

Oh, mpete, that hurt my heart. And now I have decided that my 6yo DD is never going to become a teen. SOmehow, we will go from magical childhood right into mature adult and skip the whole in between phase.

((hugs))

[Alice In TX/MO]

My mother always said she was going to put a brick on my head so I couldn't grow up. This thread makes that have a whole different connotation.

[mygoat]

Sounds to me like your teenager doesn't 'get it'. Us animal people - doesn't matter what kinda critter it is, really - NEED our critters. As long as we are financially and physically capable of caring for them, they are what keeps ups sane and waking up on a daily basis.

Heres a good little quote from who-knows-where, that says it like it is:

From time to time, people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a goat," or, "That's a lot of money for "Just a goat."'. They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a goat." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a goat." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a goat,", but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my sadest moments have ben brought about by "just a goat," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a goat" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a goat," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a firend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a goat" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "just a goat" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a goat" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly into the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a goat", but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "just a goat" brings out what's good in me and diverts my bad thoughts away. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a goat", but the thing tht gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman". So the next time you hear the phrase "just a goat" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.

~Anonymous

[mpete]

I want to say a special thank you to everyone... Yes, this has hurt deeper than I will say. I love him dearly, and I think we all know that just makes it deeper.
Your kind words mean a lot... This is a pretty anonymous place, and this is the only place I have said anything. I pray one day he will see, but on that day I pray he can find peace with his actions/words...

Hugs..I know how you feel! I'm hurt by 2 out of my 3 teenage boys daily..I think the worst part is I would do anything and do everything for them that a mom should do plus more..What a kick in the face...

[Wingdo]

We had five teenagers in the house at once, which was one reason I worked 80+ hours a week... just to maintain some semblence of my sanity! Between their constant 'I am hungry', 'I gotta-have' and flip (but very careful when dad is around) attitudes, I didn't think any of us were going to make it out alive! If it is any comfort, eventually they see the light isn't so bright when they have to foot the unmerciful bills and raise their own mess w/o any relief in sight. I guess, at the end of the day, it is all figured in the price of an education... once the grandbabies start showing up you can set back and enjoy sweet revenge... lol!

[DamnearaFarm]

Kids can be butt-heads sometimes. I think the mouth just moves faster than the brain. Honestly, doesn't that sound like a temper tantrum from a toddler? Really, that's what they do- they feel slighted/upset/tired/hungry and instead of using the brain that God gave 'em to reason it out, they just react. With no thought or concern for anyone's comfort other than they're own. It just hurts more when they're older because they can aim for the heart, not the shins.
<<<hugs>>>

[Backfourty,MI.]

When he grows up he'll realize what a great mom you were & not just because you loved him & took care of him but because of all the other things you did, like take care of the farm, milk goats, etc., etc., etc.
It just take them awhile to grow up.
Big Hugs to you mpete!