My 5 year old had a conniption last night, on our way home from camp. I like to engage my kids while we are heading home, asking what their preference is for dinner, etc., and taking their thoughts into consideration. My DD thinks that asking her for her opinion is the same as agreeing to do what she wants. The 5 year old's choice as, of course,
My immediate response was "I don't care for McDonalds, and we aren't going out to eat tonight." TG's response: "We don't have to go out, just go through the drive thru" which is obviously the solution. I stick to my guns and tell her I don't have any money on me. Solution? "Use our card, you have some dollars on that" She is all about solutions. My response remains "NO" and the tears spring forth, a mountain spring burbling from her large golden eyes, and the following statement caused me to almost choke to death at the wheel:
You are ruining my life!
I laughed out loud at hearing that, and asked her to repeat it....dumbfounded that her entire life is ruined because I am not getting her a cheeseburger happy meal which she will not eat and a toy that won't do ANYTHING but pierce the bottom of my foot when I stumble over it on my way to the bathroom.
Oh my darling, oh my love....this is the first time you have said it, but I am certain beyond all certainties, that it will not be the last. The first time I tell you that you cannot go out to the mall with your friends...the day that I decide that Johnny is NOT the right age for you to date....the day that I tell you an honest truth that you don't really want to know....those will all be momentous occasions of ruination. I am fully ready to shoulder the blame for every negative aspect of your life...I know that my brothers and I foisted that onto our mother and dad; at least, somewhere during this crazy winding pathway we are exploring, I will have taken some pleasure in journey and I hope that you do as well.
sigh...some day she will have perspective...i wonder if she'll recall the first day that I ruined her life?
:)
