I have been on a Hayley Mills movie kick this week.
It all started with my most favorite non-animated Disney movie.. The Original Parent Trap.. and then led to Summer Magic, Pollyanna.. and The Moon Spinners.
I don't know what it is about Hayley Mills.. but I adore her.
On Thursday.... I had just finished watching Moon Spinners... and it was time to get the kids from school. On my way to grab the keys.. the phone rang and I could see it was the kids school.
I was sure one of the kids had missed the bus... but No.. it was Christian's teacher.. and then I felt a little panicked.
I sat down.
I sat down.
Teacher: "I just wanted to call you and let you know of an incident that happened today."
I felt sick.
Teacher: " Christian and some other boys decided to flood the bathroom sink in the boys bathroom.
Don't worry.. he has met with the principal.. and the boys all have an understanding about it now."
Me.. ( Stunned...but not shocked ) I am so sorry. -- I think I said I was sorry about 20 times.
I told her we would "talk to him" but she acted like she didn't want us to do anything... because they had already discussed it? What does an "understanding mean?"
I hung up.
Of course I called Chad first.. and told him to think about what we should do for punishment.
While I talked with Chad--Christian came in the door as if nothing had happened.
Then.. I told him his teacher had just called -- and I watched panic appear quickly.
He told me the story.. and then told me the Principal made he and the boys go and clean up all of the other bathrooms in the school. ( pick up garbage and etc. )
Even though he had paid his "dues" with the school.. I Still wanted him to have some sort of punishment here.
Chad came home.. and we had a talk with him about Peer Pressure.. and Choosing the Right... and then all of the sudden.... I thought of Parent Trap.. and when the girls got into trouble.. and the Camp leader says: " Let the Punishment Fit the Crime."
How wise! Yes! Let the Punishment Fit the Crime!!
So... rather than grounding him from Video Games ( he just came off of being grounded from ) -- we decided that he would do one cleaning chore each day -- on top of his regular chores.
He wasn't thrilled.
So.. yesterday... I gave him his first "Chore" and told him to scrub the tile and baseboards clean... as they were all marked up.
Is that too harsh?
I will admit... I am a strict mama!
As I walked over to "Supervise".. I felt a little sad wondering if I had been to "strict" seeing him on his hands and knees scrubbing the corners with a toothbrush...
I felt like a Jail Warden.
But after about 10 minutes.. Christian said:
Mom! This is kinda fun! Can I do this every day for my job?
EPIC FAIL!
Just when I think I have "parenting" thing down.. I realize I don't.
Keeps us Humble right?
Today I am Grateful for:
A whole week of Exercising. Yay!
80's music.
Answered Prayers
Hugs and Kisses
Comfort today. It's been 7 months since Dad's passing.
18 comments:
I can't stop laughing about what Christina said!!!!!! I have given a consequence for my kids behavior a few times only to have them just love it too!!!!!! You are such a good mom! I just got downtown Abbey too!
Hey listen, following through with an appropriate consequence AND having a kid learn to love cleaning? I'd say you're mother of the year! :)
So glad this was in refernce to the parent trap. I read the title and was already singing "let's get together, yeah yeah yeah" in my head! ;)I haven't seen that movie in years and yet I somehow still remember the veal parmasean...
Haha, chores=fun! I haven't seen that movie fo-ever! You are too funny--strict momma! Your kids are angels!
That is cute - Kids come up with some great stuff but I don't think it was an epic fail at all. He still learned a lesson and will remember it everytime he cleans baseboards - even if it is fun :-D
Love Hayley Mills too and all her young movies. I'll never forget how weird it was to see her years ago as a teacher on Saved by the Bell.
ha ha...maybe he's playing you. He just WANTS you to think he's having fun so he can stop.
I don't know....heck that is the monumental question, how to discipline the kids.
but I am a believer of the Punishment fitting the crime.
They have to be able to associate what they did wrong, with what it would take to fix it.
I read a book on that once (when my kids were little, and like you, looking for answers)
If he thinks cleaning base boards is fun...I say epic win! And send him to my house. :) Oh, and I love the Parent Trap too...classic!
You're so good!
First off, I also love all those Haley Mills movies, she's the greatest!
I agree with Coco, you are the mother of the year, heck who knew he would love scrubbing bathroom floors so much.
Oh my!! That is HILARIOUS!!! Boys are so funny. I'm laughing that they flooded the bathroom. I love your response and think it it perfect. I also LOVE that movie.. One of my all time favs!
So funny - kids are really hilarious - except when they are getting into trouble. I am sure he will never forget this.
First, That was too funny! I tried something like that once with my nephew and he ended up having a blast :(
HOWEVER...I just wanted to let you know this post put a smile on my face because ----> as i was growing up, all those movies you mentioned were always being watched throughout my summers during late nights!
Pollyanna, oh how i love her! ....oh my goodness, when the cook makes those HUGE cakes for the fundraiser/festival....I DIE! I want a slice of one of those cakes!!!!!
And then Summer Magic with the cutie who shows up at the end....Swoon! Annnnnnnnd let's not forget Hailey Mills first onscreen kiss from Moon Spinners!!!!
*giggles* I could go on all night....
LOVES/HUGS to you dear Ann!!!
You're a wise mother. Even though Christian thought it was fun after 10 minutes, it will soon get old!
Every time the school called me about my son, David, I knew it meant trouble.
Hang in there! You'll look back on these days when the kids are grown and wish them back.
Hooray for you, exercising every day this week!
ANN,
I am so happy I know you!! You are the COOLEST mom ever. I always get really great ideas from you.
Being a parent is hard, WELL being a GOOD parent is hard, and sometimes I wonder if ANY thing I teach Noah sinks into his brain.
I have to tell you this story: The other day Noah was playing "angry birds" on my dad's nook. Well, my niece noticed Noah wasn't playing Angry Birds Rio, but was playing Angry Birds Christmas. My dad went and checked his email and found out that Noah had PURCHASED the game without anyone knowing. My dad's credit card is linked to the nook, so he can buy books, etc. Noah bought the game without asking. (I still am amazed he knew how to do that...) anyways my dad didn't want Noah to feel bad so he told Noah it was okay, and to just ask next time.
I wasn’t as quick to forgive and forget. I made Noah turn the Nook over to my dad, and he wasn’t allowed to play with it for a few days, then when we got home, I made him go get his penny bank and I counted out $3.00 so Noah could repay my dad. Noah cried when I started counting his money. I kept having to tell him, because you used Papa’s money, you need repay him with your money. It broke my heart to see Noah sad. But I felt it was important to teach him that what he did was not okay.
Ann you are such a good mom. Even if Christian enjoyed cleaning the floor…..you have still taught him a very important lesson. After a week of extra chores, I am pretty sure Christian will think twice before doing something he shouldn’t.
Keep up the good work. You are raising a wonderful family.
I love you.
(((HUGS))
That is funny! I'm sorry to make light of your parenting thing. But he sounds like a great kid and had a little peer pressure.
I think he'll learn well in your home.
And there is another reason to smile....Downton Abbey tomorrow!
Your story makes me think of what my dad always used to say. The toughest job in the world has to be done be done by those with no experience, raising children. I know I would be no good at it. I admire you and Chad for being such good parents.
Hugs,
Marianne.
Not an epic fail, he's playing a mind game with you : )
Actually, we figured out the best punishment when our boys didn't come home on time. They had to clean up the dog poop in the back yard. Two dogs, one of them very large. And we instructed them that with every piece of crap they picked up, they could just remind themselves that it's a bunch of crap as to why they can't get home on time.
Worked pretty well. Now I wish I had some kids around here to punish : )
That's funny! I've given my kids "punishments" before that they've enjoyed as well. You never know!
I think you did the right thing. It is not up to the school to decide what discipline we give our kids. It is good that they didn't just let it go either. I think kids need to know that it is not okay to do bad things at school. Every thing is learned in the home. That is funny that Christian said it was fun!
I know we talked about this yesterday but "The Parent Trap" is my favorite live action movie from Disney too. I laugh so hard every time I see the part where the mom asks, "What happened? Did you step on a rake?" LOL!!!
I'd WAY rather see a kid on his hands and knees than his mom! Why do moms' knees get sore so much faster than kids' knees? ;)
The original Parent Trap is the best! I pretty much hate the re-make, with those girls constantly taking the Lord's name in vain! UGH!
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