My kids were put to the test; and they were great!
As most of you guys know we are out of town observing our Holy Days, this one lasting 8 total days. We are staying in a hotel, picture it, four kids cramped in hotel rooms for 8 days Shocked
On top of the hotel room we go to services each day, 2 hours in theater style chairs in a balcony, every day Shocked. We have no choice but to eat out, fast food (which always makes my kids hyper) nice restaurants, which demand the kids to sit still and behave, every day. Shocked
My kids have handled this upset to their routine like pros! Grin I am so proud of them. The two younger ones have argued a little more (small spaces seems to get to them) but they have gotten out of bed each morning, taken their showers and put on their church clothes without a single complaint. By day five they seem to be asking more often in services, "How much longer?" but are still respectful.
They have accepted sudden changes in plans as all things are unpredictable, no matter how thoroughly we plan! I have watched my children with great joy over this past week and seen real effort on their part. They have had disappointments and responded as any child would do, then accepted it and looked towards what could be done. They are being put to the test this week and really demonstrating what they are about, just great kids.
I know every parent finds themselves in a situation where they are away from home for a period of time, even if it is a daily need to be away from home outside of the normal routine. Unfortunately it is all too common for parents to be disappointed in their child's behavior because they didn't quite meet their expectations when disappointment came their way. I watched my daughter slump in disappointment this week and take about 30 minutes to mope about it, (this is where parents seem to focus) then she accepted the disappointment and asked, "What can we do instead?" (this is where we should focus).
I would like to see more stories of how your kids were just great kids when put to the test. I am sure it wont take much thought if you take about two seconds, and don't think you have to choose the right one, share them all! I know I will be sharing more.
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I don't know if this is really being "put to the test", but I can tell you want always makes me so proud--and also makes me give myself a little pat on the back.
We've always gone out to dinner as a family, probably once a week or so. It's not fancy restaurants, but not fast food either. Either local neighborhood places or places along the lines of Chili's, TGI Fridays, Outback, Applebee's. You get the idea.
I can't tell you how many times people, usually elderly, will stop by our table to tell us what well-behaved little boys we have. This started from the time they were toddlers and continues until when they're 8 and 6. Last summer on vacation, we actually had a gentleman stop my husband as he was walking to the bathroom to compliment him on the boys. Then he got up and came over to sit with me and the boys and went on and on about how great they were. And he should know--he was a retired elementary school principal and his wife was a retired teacher.
It just always makes me feel proud of the boys and appreciate how good they really are. And gives me a little positive reinforcement, too--especially on those days where I might doubt myself a bit as a mom!
It's funny you should post this today. I just got back from dropping my 3 y/o off at school. Before we went to his school, we had to go to a lab so that I could have my blood drawn. I went really early in order to beat the crowd and get him to school on time. Unfortunately, everyone else went really early too and there was even a group of about six women from the Department of Corrections who had come as a group to get their lab work done. This clogged everything up and we ended up waiting nearly 45 minutes for something that should have taken 10 minutes.
Before we went in to the waiting room, Aiden had solemnly informed me that he was going to be a good boy. And he was! For 45 minutes he sat quietly, spoke politely when spoken too, and had everyone in the waiting room falling over themselves because they thought he was so cute. Sometimes I'm just in awe of him. I hadn't thought to bring anything for entertainment, but he just grabbed a magazine off of the table and flipped through it. At one point I heard him gasp in delight and when I looked he was pointing at the number 1. "Look momma!" he breathed, "it's number 1!"
What a good day.
~Elsie