My children got home today from spending some time at the mountain home with their grandparents. My 5-year-old son has been with them for a little over three weeks and my daughter was with them for a week and a half. My quiet is gone, my calm is gone and food is once again flying off the pantry shelves. First request was from my daughter. Dad, my friends are going to Lagoon (Amusement Park) and I need $60.00 and so-and-so’s Mom wants to know if you will drive us there. Sure, why not, I did not have plans on my day off. Well, I had plans to spend time with BOTH of my children, but perhaps another time.
After taking them to Lagoon, I spent some time hearing about all of my son’s mountain adventures. Then he and I went out to the yard to get some work done. About one hour into my work, my son walks past me. I ask what he is doing. He tells me that he saw some ants and they looked hot so he made them a swimming pool. He asked if I wanted to see the pool he made for the hot ants. Sure, I would love to see the pool you made. During our walk to this pool, I noticed the hose is still running. I follow the hose with my eyes and can see up ahead that the end of the hose is placed into the basement window-well. I arrive at the window-well, it is full of water, and the water is running through the window into the basement. I calmly look at him and say, the pool is full. He agrees and runs to turn the water off. He comes back and I ask him if he is trying to drown the ants. He points out that several are floating and the tiny legs are moving. He then adds, Dad they must wear life vests.
All of this leaves me with just one thought. Damn, I love these kids!
Todd,
ReplyDeleteI have to say, you are amazing in your reaction to your son. If either of my brothers or I would have done that I HATE to think of what my dad would have said and/or done... How much of a mess was there in the basement? I LOVE the life vest comment :-)
You also are achieving your goals (addressing the next post). You want to be an example to your children - in all areas of life. That being said, when your son grows up, and thinks back about "the swimming pool for the ants" incident he will remember the response that he received from you... 1. yes, son, show me the pool. You stopped what was important to you to see what was important to him. 2. CALMLY reminded him to turn off the water. Man, that could have gone so badly the other way.
GOOD FOR YOU!
Thanks Helen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing to say. Sadly, my children occasionally see the ugly side of their Dad. If the following happens things can get real ugly, real fast. Disrespect to their Mother, myself or any other adult. Hurting each other physically, especially if the warden sees the act of violence. Selfishness.
As for the basement, minimal damage and quick clean-up. I realized shortly after my beautiful son was born that I needed a very big, very powerful, Wet-Dry Vac. ;-) We spent the rest of the day hanging out and having fun.