Lesson learned?? Maybe? Sort of?

That seems to be the theme this week in our house. Gracey and Emily have been experiencing some consequences in the "boundary crossing" department, and it hasn't all been pretty.

I don't want to say that I knew it would happen, because I wouldn't have been surprised if she went all year without pulling it. I should say I figured it would happen. Few children, even the best of the angels, go through their entire adolesendent school years without receiving some sort of reprimand. Whether it be a big deal or not. This week Gracey had to a pull a ticket at school. This was devastating to her. I knew it would be when it eventually happened. I anticipated it in the past and nearly emailed her teacher to give her a warning if it were to ever happen. Not because I wanted to the teacher to treat her differently and not discipline her properly like any other student, but because I knew Gracey would take it more seriously than most.

Sure enough, it happened. Her teacher walked her to me after school, which is always an interesting sign, and told me what happened. Mrs. Springer even said, "It really wasn't her fault and I hated having to do it...." I guess some friends of Gracey's kept turning around to talk to her and instead of ignoring, Gracey was laughing and smiling with them. It was quite tragic. Her teacher said she sobbed and sobbed and didn't eat most of her lunch. She pulled her aside and told her how much she loved her and that she knows that it wasn't normal of her. I guess the rest of the day she was a perfect angel. Somebody even was talking in her face on the circle rug that day and she kept her eyes completely focused on her teacher.

I was afraid that her teacher was going to think that Gracey was scared to tell me, like I was going to punish her, so I made it clear that Gracey had extremely high (competitive) standards with herself and was so proud every week to bring home the paper saying she stayed on her green ticket all week long.. Corky and I had a great talk with her that evening about how proud we were that she learned her lesson and ignored the other kids,and this is a good way to remember to always behave well and obey your teacher and parents the first time they something of you. Now I will be honestly surprised if she has to pull another ticket this school year.

Now if only it was that easy with all kids...

Let's talk about Emily. She is not better or worse than Gracey, I am not saying that, just different. Corky and I have to figure out completely different, lesson learning tactics for her. It's difficult. Of course, there are some things that we don't budge on and that has been our issue this week with her.

She has consistently refused to eat her dinner at night. Not because its gross (except she says it is) but because she is stubborn. Since Gracey started eating table food, Corky and I agreed that our kids would learn to eat pretty much anything that was placed before them. We aren't their servants and I am not a short-order cook. Our kids eat what we prepare them. And if they don't, they eat it for breakfast. And if not for breakfast, they eat it for lunch. It sounds so mean writing it out but I would be really embarrassed if my kids said "yuck" or "gross" or refused to eat something at somebody else's home. I want them to be able to eat most things.

Anyway, Emily has been eating lots of dinner for breakfast this week. Last night though, was memorable. Emily has eaten her dinner for breakfast almost every other day this week, but last night's tantrum was awful and hilarious at the same time. She walked away from the table to go to the bathroom and starting screaming at Corky.

"DAD! COME HERE! COME HERE RIGHT NOW! WHEN I YELL FOR YOU, YOU COME HERE!"

We decided to not even validate her one bit and just completely ignore it. As a parent, a child's naughty behavior can get to a ridiculous point that it is just funny. Of course we don't show her that it is funny,and maybe that is why Corky and I get laughing so hard to each other.

When she calmed down Corky was really good to talk to her about being nice and she apologized sincerely....at least as sincerely as a 4 year old, that will most likely repeat the behavior, can be.

Sure enough, this morning she ate all of her Shephard's Pie, without any complaining at all.

We love our kids and love the people they are becoming. We love how different they are. As they continue to grow up, we look forward to celebrating and praising their differences. I write this mainly for myself, Corky, and our girls. Because I know that we will look back on these times and not only laugh, but truly miss it. Even as frustrating as it can be.