"Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, but the biggest difference is this. Men forget, but never forgive; women forgive, but never forget."— Robert Jordan

Monday, March 05, 2012

Parenting is tough

There's nothing like an ultra-sensitive and compassionate 7 year old to make you feel like a crappy mom.  I had promised to take the kids to Target after school today because I've had a couple of gifts they received from my parents that we needed to exchange, plus Matt has a gift card that's been burning a hole in his pocket.  So Matt decided he wants a new video game that's all the rage in his class, and Jill wanted a new Barbie.

After school I sent the kids upstairs to change and then we'd go.  Matt came down and said that Jill had done something inappropriate (nothing serious, just "potty related," so I won't go into details on my blog).  I've been battling the whole potty talk/inappropriate talk thing for what seems like years now, and I know it's a stage that all kids their age go through, but it drives me nuts. Anyway, as punishment, I told Jill that she'd have to exchange her gift for a Barbie another day - her punishment for being inappropriate was that she couldn't get a toy today, and I'd take Matt tonight after Daddy got home. 

Jill, of course, was very upset about this and, in pure Jillian fashion, histrionics and drama ensued.  I sent her up to her room to cool off, and then went about my afternoon.  Several minutes later Matt came up to me and asked me to give Jillian a second chance and let her get her Barbie, because seeing her sad was making him very sad.  I explained to him that maybe next time she'd think a little harder before doing something inappropriate, and that's what punishment is all about.  He burst into tears and said that if she was punished, then so was he, because he didn't like to see his sister so upset.  He then sent himself to his room in silent protest. 

I was so tempted to give in and give Jill her "second chance" just for the sole reason that it was killing me that Matt was being so sympathetic and protective of his little sister, and I like to encourage that behavior whenever I can... but in the end I had to stick to my guns.  

What would you have done?

No comments:

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin