Growing Pains

Growing up is hard to do-especially when you are six. This past week a certain young boy has really been trying my patience. I have been working to teach him that every choice has a consequence, good or bad. And that there are rules in a family that must be followed for all of us to be happy. Of course he didn't particularly care for these rules and being the strong willed spirit that he is, was determined to make life miserable for me.
After a particularly trying day I was able to escape for a few hours to a girls night out(chocolate ice cream, cookies, and chick flick included) and left Randall in charge to get everyone to bed. Well he and Dad were not quite seeing eye to eye after I left, and had quite a battle about some poor choices that he was making. After much weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth Randall finally got him to bed(or so he thought).

Some time later Randall heard noise coming down the stairs and went to investigate. He walked into the entry and found Parker standing by the door with his coat and shoes on over his pajamas with this note in hand. He started crying and placed the note on the ground and asked Randall to make sure that I saw it when I got home.

He was sobbing and told Randall that he had decided that he was going to go live with another family because we didn't love him. (I know, I know, you're probably wondering why this little boy feels so horrible and thinks that no one loves him.) Well simple. He had decided that he did not like me telling him what to do, and the consequences that came with poor actions. And of course all of that means-we don't love him. GROWING UP, don't you just hate it. Even as a kid it can be so painful.

At least he had planned ahead. He stuffed everything that he thought he might need as he began his journey into his laundry hamper. Dont ask me how he thought he was going to take this, I guess drag it down the street with him.

The contents included flip, flops, slippers, underwear, shirts, pants, a few legos, and most importantly his sleeping bag and pillow. He told Randall that he decided to take the sleeping bag only because his bed was to big to fit into the laundry hamper!!! Randall then asked if he knew where he was going or if he needed a ride. He also reminded him that it was quite late and it was very dark outside, and suggested that maybe he should get some sleep before setting out on such an adventure. That finally clinced it. After Dad reminded him of how much we all love him and would miss him so terribly should he decide to leave our family, he retired for a restfull night of slumber. In the morning all was forgotten and a little heart was mended and again reminded of how much we loved him and needed him in our family.

I guess we all have to try it at least once, right. I remember one time being so mad at one of my sisters that I decided to go live in our camping trailer in the driveway. It lasted all of about one night. Growing up is so hard to do.

(I guess I really should admit that some of this was my fault. In all of my teaching I had on several occasions told Parker that if he did not like my rules or wasn' t willing to at least obey them, that maybe he should go live with another family whos rules he preferred. I know terrible huh!!! Actually it worked quite well. I guess mom and dad aren't so bad after all.)