Solution to the Mommy Problem

Homework, oh homework.  You are making life between Stomper and his mother rather challenging these days.  I try to be nice - and I am.  For a while.  And he tries to be nice.  Briefly.  And then he starts with the contradictions and distractions and bouncing off the wall, almost literally.  No, actually it's sometimes literally.  I have to ask that kid to do each separate task at least eight times.  I just can't quite bring myself to set him afloat on his own personal ocean of homework all along.  So a couple of hours later we're both close to tears.  On one particular day last week, Stomper and I were kneeling by the bed pounding through another afternoon of homework.  As I was dragging Stomper along by his big toe, he valiantly resisting all the way, I broke down and dropped my head into my arms to take a few quiet breaths before braving the next battle.  Clever little Stomper - he knew how to soften up his mommy!  I felt him climb on my back and begin a surprisingly soothing massage, giggling madly all the while because he knew exactly what he was doing.  Sheesh - even that tiny little wedge of my face shows the bags under my eyes....