I upset my eight-year-old son yesterday. I’m not sure how. Something I did or didn’t do. Either way, though, in his eyes I’ve been falling short as a mom, and as he spewed out a litany of complaints, I did my best to focus, eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep.
Hours later, after he went to bed, I found a note on my pillow, only this one wasn’t as loving as the others he usually leaves (see last week's post titled 'Definite Keepsakes').
On it, he’d drawn two stick figures (one labeled YOU and the other DIFRENT MOM), and next to each was a vertical tube-like bar. Mine was shaded half full with a number 5 beside it, but DIFRENT MOM’s was shaded all the way to the top and had a decorative number 10 scrawled next to it. And below both he’d written this pleasant little message:
Mom, if you are NISER to me the bar can still go up.
My husband laughed so hard he almost fell off the bed.
19 comments:
That is beautiful. Have you considered drawing another picture of him doing something and adding a word or two reply. I think it would be fun to start a dialogue this way. Maybe do that, then wait a week, and leave him another note under his pillow.
You sound as though you have a marvelous family. Peace to you, Holly.
They get good at the guilt thingy.
But Scott is right. Two can play the game.
Hmmm, can't translate but I do know that around eight is when most children realize their parents aren't perfect. Personally, I've been trying to break it to them gently since birth.
Hi Holly,
Its amazing how they know how to make us feel guilty
One thing that I started to do with my girls is writing little notes and putting them in their lunch boxes. They are pleasantly surprised when they open up their boxes to see the loving notes. It seems to brighten their day and magically erase any wrong-doings I may have done.
Take care,
Bug
At least he's still holding out hope that you can live up to his standards LOL. By the way, according to my 4 kids I am the meanest mom in the world. If your son tries to throw that guilt at you, tell him the title is already taken.
Oh my gosh, kids are so funny aren't they. It's good that your son feels he can express himself. What a creative little mind. lol
Wait Wendy! I was the meanest mom in the world!!
uhh... my son is now 34!
I guess the torch was passed on.
Carry it PROUDLY!
Holly - tell your son we are a culture who aims for mediocrity. 5 is good.
I don't have kids but if I did and I got a note like that on my pillow I'd laugh my head off.
*lol* Your kid's hilarious.
OMG!!! That is so sweet and cute and just plain hilarous. We can never be perfect mothers and I know I get the evil eye every time I pick my daughter up from daycare and refuse her request for a Reese's peanut butter cup (which necessitates a stop at the quick shop). I am treated to a sullen-eyed six-year-old on the entire drive home.
Holly, that is hilarious! And your son clearly has no problem expressing himself. :) I've been getting plenty of guilt from my 6 year old lately - and lots of protests that she doesn't want me to stop working because she's much happier at Grandma's House. *sigh* I figure it'll be fun stories when *they* are trying to raise kids someday. ;)
Reminds me of that cartoon Calvin and Hobbes where Calvin used to rate his old man on a "dad-o-meter" every day. Bright kid you got there. But then, he is a boy and boys have it going on all over our female counterparts.
*running for cover in Texas*
Actually, Holly, you have my admiration for raising a son as thoughtful, expressive and aware that he could use some "improvement" too. ;o)
That's one brilliant, creative child you have there! Most would just complain aloud...and others, who might write a note, would likely make it solely critical. But your boy understands the personality vs. behavior concept: you are *behaving* badly but that doesn't automatically make *you* bad.
Clearly, though you have 5 ticks to go before you're satisfactory in his view, you've already taught him something invaluable.
Oh good gravy! Well at least the "bar" wasn't a knife in your heart! LOL! Sounds like a great kid.
What a cutie. Savour these sweet notes now, Holly. When they become teenagers, they slam doors and scream, "I hate you." Save that note. You may need it to remind you what a wonderful kid he really is under all those hormones!
ROFL ... that's great! Where'd he learn that from? He's trying to be positive, give you something to work for. Hah! He's a character!
At least your son gave you a 5!! He could have ranked you as a 2! You must not have messed up that bad. Plus, he still thinks you can redeem yourself. That's really cute.
Aw what an artistic and bright kid! Have you two made up yet?
You could always tell him that in foreign countries, that would be niser...LMAO!
Post a Comment