I knew this parenting gig was going to be harder than it looked.
But, good golly.... some times I think my youngling goes out of his way to prove my theory.
We go to church on Sunday. Just like every single Sunday of the child's life.
We dropped him off in Sunday school.... that can be something of a challenge at times. I cannot figure this one out. He does great at the drop off for preschool.... But. But. Sunday school and Wednesday night choir.
Oy. And, sigh. Sometimes he does great... other times he acts as though he's been asked to walk through the gates of Hell.
Anyway.
A couple of Sundays ago, we went to pick him up after 'big' church was over, as usual.
However.
His new Sunday school teacher pulled me aside.
(never a good sign, btw)
She asked me if there was something that she could do to make his time in class better. I blinked at her for a moment and inquired of her what she meant. Well. Apparently the youngling was 'mean' to the other children and had some 'challenges' listening.
Hmmm.
The 'challenges' part... yeah, I knew right away as to what she was referring to. It's the same issue we've been having this year.
The 'mean' part.... that required further investigating.
It seems as though the child decided that the best way to get his way would be to hit the other children and steal their toys and hide them from the other children.
Uh-huh.
My first impulse was to attempt to use all my mothering powers and call down fire and destruction upon this precious child, whom I carried in my body for 9 months. Instead. Instead, I took a *very* deep breath and turned to my child. He wouldn't look me in the eye. A very good sign that he has been on the naughty side of the street.
Oy.
Now, I should back things up a bit & reveal that Jacob has a fond & deep relationship with iPHONES, iPADS, and his VTech pad.
I hit 'em where it hurt.
All of his privileges REVOKED for a week.
It seems to have made an impression. He's been telling me (ever since) about how well-behaved he is going to be from now on, unto the end of time. And (except for 1 glaring moment in swim school) he has been.
Disciplining.
It ain't for the faint of heart, I tell you.
2 comments :
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with inconsistent drop-off experiences. Naomi almost always does great for her MDO drop-off. She pretty much always freaks out about MOPS drop-off (and pick-up too for some reason). But, Sunday, we just never know what Naomi we will get. Sometimes she just toddles in and out no problem and sometimes the world comes to a crashing halt.
This too shall pass, right? We will get through it. They won't cry when we drop them off in Middle School, right? :)
Christine, I hope so!
I've got Kindergarten staring my down Hard, come August.... I'm praying that some of this eases or it's going to be a loooong school-year next year!
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