Little Miss had dance this afternoon. When I dropped her off at school this morning, I asked her to start walking home so she could change and get to dance on time. She was so excited to be grown up and start walking home by herself.
When I walked to school this afternoon to pick her up I lingered at the bottom of the hill by the school gate waiting for her to come down. From that position you can't see the playground because it is up on a hill, which is great because then a kid doesn't feel watched. Just a little bit of freedom, however false, right? Five minutes after the bell I decided we really needed to get moving and that I should go up. There was Little Miss, standing by the swings, watching some other kids swinging. Not swinging herself, just watching the other kids. I yelled, I admit it, something like, 'What are you doing? You were supposed to start walking home. We have got to go now!'
Things went down hill from there, as they usually do when the greeting is a yell. There were tears, pouting, silent stomping, accusations, and sassiness from the 6 year-old and the 34 year-old all the way home. The power stuggle was epic. I realized the situation was completely out of hand when I yelled down the stairs that she was about to lose her snack because of her disrespectful grumblings.
So I called a do over. Do other moms do this? I calmly walked downstairs to where she was half heartedly putting her dance stuff on and asked her if we could start over. We greeted each other like we were at the playground. I didn't let her out of dilly dallying, but I was a much calmer in-control mom. We worked together to get her ready for dance, she got her snack, and we made it on time.
I've called a do-over a couple of times, and it always seems to work to calm us down. Sometimes it is nice to get a second chance at being a better mom. Okay, maybe it is nice sometime to get a second chance to just not be the yelling, threatening mom. Hopefully on some level it helps Little Miss, too, you know? We'll see.
Keep smiling and remember to be happy.
6 days ago
7 comments:
I love that! I am going to try it!
Do overs are totally valid. I've done it a few times myself.
But that is a very sweet story.
I wish I had a rewind button. I don't like being the grouchy mommy.
I think that is absolutely a great idea. What a great way to teach children that everyone makes mistakes and that it's ok to start over and try it again. I think you are an absolutely amazing mom! (You may get phone calls in the future so beware! :-)
I am so going to use this idea! Thanks. So you're a Wyoming gal again? I know that is where you wanted to end up some day but isn't it crazy how the Lord's plans take you by surprise sometimes? We've been here a year and it still feels surreal yet every now and then I get a silent witness that this is where He wants us to be. I love reading all your adventures and am glad you're back to blogging again!
I like this idea. I seem to need a do over a lot. I usually just tell the kids I need a time out and I go in my room and lay down and breathe. I think a do over will be a nice way to change it up. Thanks!
We "rewind" at our house - it's a good "strategy".
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