Bad Mommy

Today I remembered before kids, living in the apartment, the walls were so thin, the way she yelled at her little boy. I'd thought she was so cruel and I knew I'd never yell like that.

Today I remembered, because I made mine cry and he yelled back at me. He told me I'd gone too far, been too cruel, yelled too loud.

Tonight I have a little more empathy for that mom, and I know I was wrong, today, and in the apartment.

Tonight I'm glad I said yes to that game of Payday and the extra chapter at story time. At least his memories of today won't all be bad.

And tomorrow, I'll breath deep, and I'll look in his eyes, and I'll remember, and I won't yell.