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Do pirates wear shorts anyway!?

It's PIRATE Day at the kids' elementary school. Part of literacy week. They do fun things to promote reading! 

The kids love it. 

And I'll admit, I enjoy it too!

It's always fun to dress your kids up in costumes. And it's even more fun when they're not planning to go around asking complete strangers for candy and then binge on it for days. Win- win!

Oliver is five. He goes to a kindergarten readiness preschool at the elementary school. They are also participating in the literacy week- and he had his pirate costume all ready. 

Only problem was, he was wearing shorts. 

Not a huge problem for everyone's kids. But where we live there is 3 feet of snow on the ground. And although the predicted high temp for today is 40*, I still have a policy of no shorts at school until the snow is mostly gone. 

Mean Mom huh?

I should have said something to Oliver much earlier in the morning. I definitely should not have waited until 20 minutes before the bus would be here to remind him that he couldn't wear his shorts (which were actually his sister's, and quite short...) to preschool.

I tried reasoning with him (which never works), tried getting upset with him (um, also never works), and I tried threatening him that he would miss the bus. 

I was sorely tempted to just change my mind and let him wear the blasted shorts to school. What do I care if his legs get cold? But if I've learned anything it's that kids need rules and they need consistency. This was one of our rules, and I needed to be consistent with it. 

As a side note, I'd like to add that I am NOT a very stubborn parent. And even though I agree that consistency is important, I AM willing to negotiate with my kids. Sometimes. But when they're throwing a "tantrum" is not the best time to negotiate. 🤷

Well, anyway, I made a few mistakes, but I stuck to my guns and after a bit of floundering, I got down on my knees in front of him and explained his choices. 

1- he could wear the shorts and stay home.
2- he could put his snow pants on over the shorts and hurry to catch the bus.
3- he could put normal pants on, go to school and have a great time for pirate day. 

Through his tears he chose # 3. 

I quickly helped him find some pants, threw them on over the shorts, grabbed his coat and backpack and hurried out the door to meet the bus. 

He was smiling before he left. And I had enough time before the bus showed up to apologize. I was sorry that my expectations weren't clear, and that I got upset with him. "I love you! Have a great time at preschool!"

As the bus drove away I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. 

Parenting is hard work. 

Comments

  1. NaDellMarch 3, 2020 at 12:58 PM

    It's so hard to stay consistent sometimes! You did a great job making the choice up to him. And he's adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tina CrowtherMarch 3, 2020 at 3:33 PM

      Thanks! Haha. He is a cute guy. He's usually quite agreeable too!

      Delete
  2. MaryMarch 4, 2020 at 9:39 AM

    You done good MOM! He and Derek made handsome Pirates!

    ReplyDelete

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