Yesterday Sasha was still feeling a little weak so he stayed "home". We rode the Gazelle (him on the Kinder-seat up front) to Poggio in Sausalito. Our morning was spent relaxing, sipping tea, eating samples and talking. It was heavenly!
Just before lunch we rode to Mill Valley to clean-up/warm-up (take tub and shower)and fill our bellies with some soup and fresh bread. As we were getting ready to sit down I received the phone call that all parents dread, "Please come and pick-up Jonas from school, we are having some behavioural problems". The teacher elaborated. It seems Jonas, along with two other kids (girls none the less so all of you thinking boys will be boys can toss that idea), had been kicking the youngest and smallest boy in school. Three on one and Jonas had on his new (handed down from Sasha) Cowboy boots! Oh no!
When we arrived Jonas was clearly embarrassed but also smirking (this could be from me, I have been told I have a tendency to smirk when I am really uncomfortable). Here was one of those huge tests of my parenting abilities.I had better do this right .
I took him aside, explained that his kicking feet are meant to kick balls and, given he had shown he was not yet old enough to understand that, his pointy cowboy boots would have to go away. We drove straight to the donation place at Safeway, I took off his boots and handed them to the "man in the truck". At first Jonas thought I was bluffing. It took him a moment and then it sunk in, his boots were really gone. As he began to wail I wondered if I had done the right thing (too harsh?). In that moment, all I wanted to do was to hold him and make it better, but I resisted the urge.
We went home where he spent story and resting time alone in his bed. When we finally got up, I asked him to make the boy from school a card. He drew a beautiful card, unusual for Jonas as he still likes to mainly scribble, and HE suggested we add a book to the apology card. This is HUGE as books are like gold in our family. I know I let out an inner sigh at that moment. He had gotten it!I finally allowed myself to take him in my arms and hug him.
People often say that parents are what influence children the most, up until they are teens that is. Today was a day where I had influence and knew what to do, more or less. The next one might not be so clear, and when I need help, let's hope that my pool of support has the wisdom to help me through.
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1 comment:
Good words.
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