I presume that if you're reading this, you have children. And I presume that if you have children, you know all about the elaborate procrastination techniques they employ at the most inopportune times. Who else has days that go like this:
When It's Time to Leave:
Mom: Go put your shoes on.
Kid: Goes to room and comes back 5 minutes later, still shoeless.
Mom: Where are your shoes?
Kid: Look at this shell! I found it under my bed. It's pink and is shaped like a heart.
Mom: I love the shell! Now please go put your shoes on.
Kid: Goes to room and comes back 5 minutes later, still shoeless.
Mom: Where are your shoes?
Kid: Can I take this snugly toy to school to show...
I'm sure I'm not supposed to do the things I'm about to list, but I don't care. Call me a "bad mom," but I have no guilt for any of these. Sorry not sorry, kids, but...
I eat your candy.
I saw that the Easter Bunny brought you some Reese's eggs. What a coincidence--they happen to be my favorite. I've been eyeing them. I'll give you a day--no, 8 hours--then they're mine. Looks like an early bedtime!
I trash your art.
Ok, not all (I still have all the sweet ones), but honestly, most. If I can't discern what it is and can't figure out which way is up, it goes down ... in the garbage bag ... hidden under last night's trash...
I know what you must be thinking: "Oh, come on! It's a parenting staple! I was told it a million times by my parents, and I'm fine. It taught me that they were in charge." And I'm right there with you. My husband and I never purposefully set out not to say it. We just never started.
What we did intend, though, was to clearly explain our reasoning for what our kids must have seen as seemingly-arbitrary decisions. In doing so, I believe we won our kids' obedience, one that was built on trust and understanding, not just their place at the bottom of some pecking order in our home. And yes, it was (is) tiring.
We went through the obnoxious...
Tonight Henry and I joined some of his school friends and their families for dinner at a local pizza place. Super casual and kid friendly, mind you. Well, when we eat out at casual places I usually let my son roam around a little and explore ... all within eye sight (and ear shot). Tonight was no different. He wandered from our table to the patio sitting area then came back to his seat when I motioned for him to come back.
A little bit later he did it again. Same exact situation. Same outcome.
Then, he did it again ... except this time he took a turn and BOLTED towards the parking lot and one of his little friends followed....
More often than not, my son gets "surprises" and "special treats."
These range from frequent Amazon packages from my parents who live across the country local grandma causally dropping off five brand new outfits to my own friends sending him toys and books "just because."
My response is usually, "Oh my gosh, thank you so much. You are just going to spoil him rotten!"
And yet even with the receiving of gifts galore for simply existing, my kind family and friends are not responsible for his spoiledness (is that a word?).
I am.
And it's progressively gotten worse.
The first time I really noticed it is when he was little I made the first-time mother mistake. You know the one. It's when your child is...
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