Thursday, July 28, 2005

A Life Lesson...which my daughter is still fighting, kicking and screaming all the way.

The lesson for today is: Sometimes, you get what you want, but it isn't what you thought it would be! 

And, oh yeah, the second half of that lesson is: Sometimes, you have to stick with the your choices and make the best of them.

Pumpkin Muffin decided that tonight she must go to her brother, Fuzzy's football practice.  Everytime she has gone, she is bored out of her wits about 30 minutes into the 1 1/2 hour practice.  I have been there, I have seen it, it isn't pretty.

So, her grandmother, her grandfather, her father and her mom - ME, all told her, NO, you cannot go tonight.  The only person going was her dad and sometimes he helps to coach and she would be very bored.

This had falllen on Pumpkin Muffin's deaf ears. 

She kept following her dad begging him, "Please, please, I won't be bored, I promise." 

We all tried to reason with her.  Reminding her about the practice last week when she was crying and begging for someone to take her home.  Nope, she would not listen, "Tonight is different!  I won't be bored!"

Hubby gave in as he was getting in the truck to leave.  He always crumbles and one of these days, he may actually LEARN, too, but I don't hold out a lot of hope for that.

Pumpkin Muffin walked in from the garage gave my mom, my dad and myself a triumphant grin and said, "Dad, said I can go."  She grabbed her bag of goodies, turned around and marched out of the room.  You could almost hear a Souza victory march playing as she slammed the door.

Fast forward 45 minutes to 6:30pm, the phone is ringing and it is hubby.  He says, "Talk to your daughter, I am coaching."

Pumpkin Muffin whines into the phone, "Mommy, I am bored, can you pick me up?" 

I said NO, which was immediately greeted with tears, sniffles and more of the earlier begging style that had gotten her to football practice in the first place.

Once she calmed down, I asked her, who said you should stay home?  She said that everyone did, especially me.  I asked her why did we say that?  She said, because she would be bored.  I asked her who was begging Daddy to go.  She said she was. 

Then I told her that she learned a pretty big lesson.  That sometimes the adults in her life know what is better for her. 

And, sometimes, you don't get what you want, as in, I would not be driving over there to get her.  She made her choice, in fact, she begged for it.  She got her way and now she had to make do with that decision, even though she realized she was wrong.

Color to pass the time, read a book again.  Play frisbee with one of the kids you don't know.  She is not happy about it, but I haven't gotten another call yet, so I guess she is handling it all somehow.

Maybe, maybe not, but I am sure I will get all the details in about 45 minutes!

Be well,

Dawn

Ps.  My dad is doing well.  It was a good day having him home.  He read his book, played with the kids some, walked a bit outside, too.  The stress test will be Aug. 10th.  I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks again for all the kind thoughts and prayers.  It helped!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This reminds me of our daughter so much lol!  She is now 28 but in her earlier years we had many similar experiences with her.  She is still occasionally learning some things the hard way.
loving you
karyl

Anonymous said...

a lesson learned!  kids think they know it all don't they?

~  www.jerseygirljournal.com

Anonymous said...

Dang! I hope she learned tonight and doesn't want to go again. Glad your dad is doing well.

Hugs,
Susan

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