The one where I flip out

On Tuesday I sort of flipped out.  Here's the story:
The first night of swimming lessons Jack was placed in a higher level class.  However, after seeing the children in both the higher and lower classes, the teachers decided (after class was over) to switch him with a girl who was very obviously too advanced for her lower class.  (Hello, lap swimmer??)  My boy, who is not a big fan of change and needs lots of forewarning, refused to switch classes the second week of lessons.  Did I forget to mention that they told him this that night?  Yeah, I totally understood why he was upset because I was upset on his behalf.  The director and I had a conversation and figured we'd see how he did the following week.  After talking at length with Jack, I assumed that he would participate and move easily to the other group.  However, when he once again glued himself to the bench and would not join his new class, my patience was shot. 

"If you don't go to your class, you will be going to Child Watch," I said.
To which he replied, "Okay."
Oooh, the power struggle!  I HATE the power struggle with my strong-willed child!

I dragged him (I think--maybe he went willingly?  I really cannot remember!) to Child Watch, threw his shoes onto the floor, told him he could not play the Wii Dance game, slammed the door, and stormed off.  Did I mention that my voice was maybe raised this whole time and that it was in front of the mom of one of my students and some co-workers? 

Yup, Mom of the Year right here.  I'm expecting my medal anytime.
I was steaming mad!  One of the women who witnessed the whole thing came out to see me at the pool (I was watching my compliant swimmer at his lesson) and said, "I've never seen you that mad!  It's always nice to see someone who is usually so calm get upset."
That got me thinking.  I know that my reaction was wrong.  I should have been slow to anger and handled it differently (not quite sure how but differently nonetheless).  God is teaching me something about myself through this child, and I need to be willing to learn it.  However, it also made me realize how much we as parents (and maybe especially moms) hide our weaknesses.  They are so close to the surface, and the thought of anyone knowing how much I struggle with my children at times is too personal to share.  The thing is, though, that if I share my insecurities, maybe I can encourage someone that it is okay to not know what to do--or maybe I can even glean some advice from a "been there, done that" parent.  I will say that the further I get in this parenting journey (don't I sound old and wise with 6 years under my mom belt? *eye roll*), the less I judge other parents.  It is just such a hard job!
So, in conclusion, I flipped out, I learned, I'm waiting for my medal.  That sounds about right!