Yesterday, about a half hour before the kindergarten bus came, Max started saying that he didn’t want to go to school. He was unusually whiney and whimpery in his pleas to stay home. I tried distracting him and cheering him up and being firm. When the bus finally pulled up to our house, he took heavy, begrudging steps up the stairs and to his seat.
He sat down and pressed his face against the window with a furrowed brow.
I gave him a smile and a wave.
He frowned.
I blew him a kiss.
He scrunched his nose and hit the glass with a fist, glaring at me with amazing intensity.
My heart broke into five thousand tiny pieces and fell underneath the heavy wheels of the bus as it drove away.
Even though I considered it—seriously considered it—I did not drive to the school and check on him or bring him home.
And I realized that it’s often the moments that make you feel like a horrible mother that actually constitute being a good one.
He came home at the end of the day as happy as a clam, of course.
If he pulls the same crap today, I’m going to tell him that the monster that he swore was in his closet the other night is actually real and feasts on the flesh of kindergarten drop-outs.
I think that will work.
you should talk to my mom – this sounds like my little brother. We called him grumpy bear for a reason.
and by the way, great writing!
oh, little Max! you SO did the right thing but then there’s all that his little life has been through in the last month!
Take the kid for Ice Cream or something!
obviously I’m a sucker for winder pounders and intense eyes!
Here Here for raising responsible, accountable people! I love a quote from some wise person: Remember, we are not raising children; we are raising parents. You will most likely have grandchildren who bring you great joy.
Please give Max a hug and tell him his Grandma is proud of him. Same with Christian. Sure do miss you all.
that sounds like some of the drama that occurs on a daily basis at our house. lots of tears, and, “mom, you have no idea!!’ coming from my 14 year old.
get ready.
I’m so proud of you! You did the right thing. Our job as moms is ultimately to teach them to be independent, responsible, good people. My friend’s son just started kindergarten as well, he is totally milking it and she is playing into it which is making it ten times worse!!! Go Tiff!!!
Good for you, Tiff. Now do like Becky said, and go get Ice Cream, do they have Leatherby’s there?
Oh, my! That is sooo tough! You did the right thing.
I’m afraid there’s nothing that can prepare a person for those moments in parenthood. Ugh.
Wow,good job! I’m always happy to applaud good parenting, and being firm IS good parenting. But also, did you ever find out if there was a reason for his intense griping? Or was it just “new kid at school” stuff?
You are awesome!