Today was one of those crazy, squabble-and-tattle-every-five-minutes days. You know, the kind that make you want to jump on the quickest flight to Maui and that actually do make you mutter “Serenity now!” every so often, in the manner of Frank Costanza. (And, as with Frank Costanza, it doesn’t work anyway.)
This afternoon, the girls were on the computer, I was working on fixing my website and the boys were playing behind me. I turned around just in time to witness Cody lying back in my big round chair, his knees up to his chest, and Logan descending on him, Nerf gun in hand. Cody’s legs shot out straight into Logan’s chest, Logan fell with a giant thud and I jumped out of my chair all in the same second.
I took the two steps necessary to get to where Cody was sitting, grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the chair and said, “You don’t treat people like that! You know better. Now go to your room until I tell you to come out.” Cody went sobbing loudly to his room.
I turned to scoop up the increasingly-distraught pile on the floor that was Logan and dropped in the round chair with him, crooning over his injuries, both physical and emotional. After a bit, he caught his breath. “Why did you treat my brother like that???” he demanded between sobs.
Have you ever been turned into “the bad guy” by the kids when you were simply trying to dole out justice?
A big giant YES! Well into their teen years…
My only consolation is the hope that they continue their special bond in spite of “squabbles” will thru their adult years!
Wow! I’d personally consider that a proud parenting moment. Whilel it’s not any fun at all to be the designated bad guy/horrible person in the house, how cool is it that your boys are STANDING UP FOR EACH OTHER?
One of my main goals/hopes is to foster a lasting bond between my boys, and it looks like you’re already there.
(Meanwhile, the flight to Maui sounds like a fabulous idea. Want a travel companion?)
Jenny
You’re right, Jenny. It should be considered a proud parenting moment. =)
Yes, let’s hop on the next flight to Maui!
I wish.