Bringing my work home.

I think I will call today... Life Lesson Saturday!

Son (who recently turned four) has been testing the limits of behavior today, but in this particular case he didn't realize he was messing with a trained professional!

Son has been really good with his chore/behavior chart, which has made him prematurely wealthy. He has talked about going to the store and buying some more Cars toys for his growing collection. Wife and I thought this morning would be a great day for a toy shopping trip. After careful deliberation, Son decided on a Mack the Truck car hauler, weaved his way to the checkout, and we made our way home.

Seeing as we were quickly closing in on nap time, Wife started getting lunch together while Son and I made the battle plans necessary for opening the pesky plastic packaging (nice alliteration!). We managed to conquer our foe just as we were called to the table. Son immediately looked conflicted!

Son: "I wanna play wif Mack."

Me: "That's fine, but we need to eat first."

**Son sulks to the table**

Wife: "Why are you looking so grumpy?"

Son: "I not!!" **forces a smile**

The next few minutes passed quietly as Wife and I talked about our plans for the afternoon. Son just sat there poking at his food.

Son: **mutters something while looking from Wife to Me**

Son: **repeats more confidently** "My tummy kinda full."

Me: "Well if your tummy is full I guess you can get down from the table."

At this response, Son left the table looking victorious, but slightly confused. It was as if he was thinking, "That was too easy!" Nonetheless, he happily made his way to the new toy.

Me: "Wait! What are you doing? Mamma and Daddy said you could play after you ate."

Son: **tearing up a little** "...but I wanna play wif Mack."

Me: "Sorry. That is not what we said. You can play with your other toys, but Mack has to wait until after nap."

Cue the weeping and gnashing of teeth!

After a few minutes of crying in his room, we see the silhouette of a little boy making his way back down the hallway. Son looks a little sheepish, but armed with a new plan!

Son: "My tummy not full now."

Wife and I do our best to keep a straight face as Son climbs back up to the table and starts to eat. Unfortunately, because of his previous shenanigans, there is no longer time to play before nap time, and Mack is definitely going to have to wait.

What Son failed to realize is that I deal with this type of situation multiple times during the course of a school day. Students often ask to do something they want without completing the task that I have given them. I consider it a game to figure out a way to give them what they desire, but in a manner that they hadn't planned. The ultimate lesson being that it is better to do what is asked of you than to plot and scheme your way through.

Sorry Son, but you're going to have to step up your game if you want to beat me! :)

-Mr. F