When the Fuse is Short, You'd Better Run Fast!

It was. I didn't.

Today was the kind of day when you ask yourself, "Why do I bother?" I just couldn't avert this mini disaster. Perhaps I could have at another time, but it was not to be this day.

The kids were playing on the computer together. Ian was transfixed on the game, Ainsley watching Dora the Explorer's puppy eat up all the bones in search of a key to free his caged friends. I took Ian his 4:00 meds and handed him a cup of water. He refused to take his eyes off the screen for even a second. As luck would have it, he spilled the cup of water all over the desk and the computer.

While I tried to get the spill cleaned up quickly, Ian kept reaching for the mouse, attempting to continue the game despite my instructions to move away from the computer. Although neither child understands the consequences of mixing electricity and water, I hoped by the tone of my voice that at least one of them would recognize the urgency to move or by the way I kept grabbing them and moving them out of the way! But they both kept coming back to the screen like little magnets.

Finally, I just had to turn the thing off. Ainsley started screaming and Ian had a complete meltdown. He ran into the bathroom, locked the door, and yelled that he was now "ruined for life". This was, of course, my fault because I made him quit playing on the computer. Whatever.

When the door was finally unlocked, Ian was sitting on the commode in just his underwear, and his glasses had been contorted and broken beyond repair. These are the new glasses. The ones he has had for less than 2 weeks. The ones he is doing extra chores to earn the money to pay me back for. The ones that cost $300. The ones he now owes me $600 for. He also will not be using the computer or watching any television for the next week. He'll be doing even more chores, the timing of which will not be up to him to decide.

When I asked him why he chose to break his glasses, he said it was because he didn't want to break any of his toys. I informed him that he had made the wrong decision. There seems to be a disagreement between us about which has more value in the big picture, but since he can't see 6 inches in front of his face without his glasses, I guess I shouldn't expect him to be able to see the big picture, at least not now.

Ian spent the next hour working on his debt consolidation plan by helping Steve and Grandma fix dinner while I took Ainsley to My Gym. When we returned, things were pretty much back to normal. We had our typical Friday night breakfast-dinner, with the added side beverage choice of beer for the grown-ups.

I learned several things today, one of which was that beer and pancakes make a great combination when you need to unwind. They also help you carb up so you can run faster than a 6 year-old boy who is hell-bent on destroying something.



Such a great meal is best enjoyed with good friends and family.


Another thing I learned is that Ian does recognize when he has done something wrong. By the time I was sentencing him, I could see that he regretted what he had done. Still, he has to learn about cause-and-effect, actions-and-consequences. This cannot happen again.

The most valuable thing I learned today was that no matter how angry Ian's behavior makes me, it is because I love him so completely and unconditionally that I am able to forgive him long before he forgives himself. Guilt is not necessary; kindness is.