It was a hard day with my eldest. We got a lot of exercise for the 2nd day in a row (this I run/ he bikes thing is getting good!) and I think he was more tired than I realized. We played a game before dinner, which then ended up being later than I expected, and then he fussed and fretted and grimaced about the food he was served. Nothing was right, whining and attempted bargaining ensued, and I eventually sent him to his room to think about his attitude.
When I went in to talk to him, I ended up in lecture mode. This happens occasionally, and sometimes I just let ‘er rip. He got a big rant on gratitude, attitude, thankfulness, and doing things we don’t like just because they need to be done. I threw in enough drama for the two of us, and he just listened. How would you like it if I stopped doing all the things you take for granted?! Yes, the words “some people would fight over the food you left on the table” were also uttered.
Then I told him some of what I gave up to be his mom, and that they were things I dearly loved. I broke down when I told him I’d do it again in a heartbeat, because I loved him more than anything, but that didn’t make me not still miss those things once in awhile. He apologized, we hugged and made up, and went and finished dinner.
I may never know if he just chalked that up to mom going overboard again, or if some of it actually lodged in a corner of his heart. I’m not sorry, honestly. It was what I needed to do. I hope tomorrow is a bit less dramatic, however. That would be a relief for both of us.