Kintropy In Action

Do you hear that laughter?  That's my parents.

It's easier for me to hear them because they only live a few blocks away, but I'm betting you can hear them better when I describe the following:

Both of our kids occassionally break The Law.  By that, I mean they disobey Mom or me.

For Gabriel lately, this means getting out of bed after 9pm.  Last night, was no exception.  Janette relayed the following to me:

"Mom, can I cuddle with you?"  (time check:  way past 9pm)

"You're supposed to be in bed."

"I know.  I just want to cuddle though."  [insert velvet-painting-wide eyes, hint of tear]

"You'll lose video games tomorrow."

"Just don't tell Dad then."

"OK, you just lost video games."

We've been yielding our newest club, the loss of privleges including video games and tv, for a few weeks:  our stay-in-bed campaign.  Gabriel has lost video games about half the nights last week after a good, three-days of initial compliance.  He alternates between tears of mourning, legalistic loophole searches in the punishment text, logic puzzles ("I've been good, huh?  So..."), and a variety of other tactics.

Hannah, meanwhile, has strayed as well.  She divides and conquers.  If she bites Mom, she cuddles with Dad.  If she throws a fit with Dad, she needs some Mom hugs.  As medical issues subside, we're working with those supporting her at home and school (including us) to call her consistently on behavioral issues.  Don't throw stuff!  Don't bite!  Yes, you need to stay at the table until everyone's done eating! 

For awhile, Hannah has behaved like she has had a get-out-of-jail-free card.  As Daddy's Little Girl, she's certainly had one with me.  But we're all working to compare notes & call her on stuff consistently.  Danger:  three-year-old testing the borders.  Testing.  Testing.

In the end, I'm sure we'll all survive & thrive.  In the meantime, though, we parents will prepare new rules & consequences; our son, the budding attorney, will explore his opening arguments; our daughter will constantly test the borders and chuckle at our attempts to police them.

-- Dad