Yesterday was Grandparent's Day at Isaac's school. Mimi came for the occasion, which really just means they lure the grandparents into the school so they'll buy their grandkids books at the book fair. Mimi fulfilled her designated task with flying colors. But Isaac was under the delusion (from his experience with Grandparent's Day last year) that we would be signing him out of school on our way home. LAST year, we did because everyone was doing it (for some unexplainable reason) and because Mimi was staying longer with us and we didn't want Isaac to miss out on the fun. THIS year, no one was signing kids out early (which seems like a better plan to me) and because Mimi was heading home straight after the book fair. Well, Isaac was VERY upset about this decision. There was much crying, much Llama Drama, and I had to physically set him in his seat twice before he stayed there, tearfully watching my cruel exit. When he came home, he showed me this picture that he had created in response to his angst:
We made up when he got home. I told him I was sorry he was sad, but that I wasn't sorry that I made him stay. And blah, blah, blah, I explained why it was a better decision. Much cuddling later, he was feeling better.
This morning, Isaac was still feeling good and decided to write a note to his teacher tell him that. Well he started the letter:
Notice the smily face at the bottom right.
But then, we had a disagreement over his breakfast. I insisted he eat his blueberries...at least half of them...or he could substitute a banana...before he would get his cereal or waffle. Isaac refused to budge. But, naturally, I was the bad guy. So, he added a new twist to the bottom of his letter:
And that's how he left for school this morning, unhappy and on an empty stomach. Ah, Llama Drama, how entertaining you are. And yet, at the same time, how unpleasant. Hope this is not a "to be continued..."
Follow up written October 11:
...Of course it was continued! The drama ended for a while but a few weeks later a new kind of drama popped up. He was refusing to sleep in his bed. I made a new rule that if he slept in my room he would not get any screen time (TV, video games, computer...) all the next day. After much drama over it, he decided that the consequence was worth breaking the rule and he fell asleep in my room. He then woke me up at 5:45 the following morning to tell me (with more drama) that he changed his mind. Needless to say, I did not wake up cheerful at 5:45 in the morning. We got it all sorted out. He suffered his consequences and chose to sleep in his own bed the next night. But he made me this sign later that morning (because I was "unaccountably" grumpy after my rude awakening):
("Dear Mom, I am sorry.")
I promptly forgave him (though the grumpiness took a while longer to dispel). Parenting is great but I hope I never forget the drama. Although not at the time, but in retrospect, it is pretty amusing.
