We all have those mornings where everything is planned and timed out to work just perfectly with our schedule and then BAM, something goes wrong. That was me one week ago. Finally after taking the previous two weeks to focus on packing and moving, this was the day I had filled up with work meetings and important errands now that we were finally settled enough to resume life as normal. Morning calls, catching up on emails and then getting ready to leave for a big presentation when just like that, the phone rings. The caller ID says it's my son's school and as I answer and hear his voice, I immediately brush it off and say that I found his lunch that he forgot and will drop it off in a few minutes on the way to my meeting. Only I was greeted with silence, followed by "That's not why I'm calling." Uh oh. Been there, done that before and this wasn't going to be good. Long story, short...someone got themselves in trouble (it was the reaction that caused the problem more than the initial issue that started it) and I was being asked to pick him up. Seriously?! Just as I'm scrambling to get out the door for a big presentation?! I shared my dilemma with the teacher and school secretary and the solution to keep someone in the office for an in-school suspension day versus bringing him home was also an option. And then my wheels started turning. Should I pick him up as I was asked to do but at the same time grant what he really wanted to happen anyway? Or should I keep him there so that he would learn the lesson that there are consequences for his actions and the world doesn't stop just for him? It really wasn't that hard to decide. In-school suspension it would be!
Some of the lessons that I hope my son learned from this experience are:
1. Being unhappy with a situation doesn't justify bad behavior.
2. Those in positions of authority deserve respect and apologies when appropriate.
3. Mom & Dad's world doesn't stop just because you're having a bad day.
4. Talking through your frustrations with others will always end better than shutting everyone off.
5. When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. LOL, I couldn't resist that one!
6. Mom & Dad will always love you unconditionally but it doesn't mean you will avoid punishment.
7. We all make mistakes but the goal is to learn from them so that they aren't repeated.
So after a day in the office, a lot of apology letters, 3 days with no cell phone or video games and an after school detention later this week...hopefully the lessons above will have left an impact that will carry on to the day when my son is the one answering that call from school for his own child and saying "Uh oh, what did he do?"
