I have come to the conclusion that my parenting style gets me into trouble because I am always willing to give my kids the chance to do the right thing. I even set things up so that is the only thing they can do, "the right thing". But alas, it usually doesn't happen. They can always find a way out or things will fall apart.
My niece, the neighbor girl, and difficult child have been invited to the beach. And guess by who? I probably should go with, but this person has a cell phone and I will get a call at the very 1st sign of a problem. Any guess yet who has invited difficult child to the beach without asking me to come with? Better be sitting down for this one ............. It is easy child! WOW to the ends of the world. WOW!!!
Now why do I get the feeling that it was stupid of me to allow this? Will this be yet another thing that easy child is doing right that will fall apart with bad difficult child behavior because easy child who can handle any child except her brother will do the wrong thing if an argument starts?
I need to come up with a very special treat for difficult child if he gets back from this outing without causing trouble. It already started before they left when he refused to sit in the back of easy child's two door car. I told him the smallest people get the back of two doors. He finally climbed in and was settled. I am sure they will be fine until it is time to come home and he will again argue to sit in the front seat.
Oh, I hope this goes well. Please help by sending good vibes toward this group of kids. If there is a problem, it will be three teenage girls against one anxiety riddened difficult child and it will not be pretty.
However, if it goes well, this will be a wonderful memory for difficult child when easy child took him swimming.
My niece, the neighbor girl, and difficult child have been invited to the beach. And guess by who? I probably should go with, but this person has a cell phone and I will get a call at the very 1st sign of a problem. Any guess yet who has invited difficult child to the beach without asking me to come with? Better be sitting down for this one ............. It is easy child! WOW to the ends of the world. WOW!!!
Now why do I get the feeling that it was stupid of me to allow this? Will this be yet another thing that easy child is doing right that will fall apart with bad difficult child behavior because easy child who can handle any child except her brother will do the wrong thing if an argument starts?
I need to come up with a very special treat for difficult child if he gets back from this outing without causing trouble. It already started before they left when he refused to sit in the back of easy child's two door car. I told him the smallest people get the back of two doors. He finally climbed in and was settled. I am sure they will be fine until it is time to come home and he will again argue to sit in the front seat.
Oh, I hope this goes well. Please help by sending good vibes toward this group of kids. If there is a problem, it will be three teenage girls against one anxiety riddened difficult child and it will not be pretty.
However, if it goes well, this will be a wonderful memory for difficult child when easy child took him swimming.
It was brave of you to give them a chance to try this out. You deserve credit for being able to let go and let them try... and they deserve a party if they all come back unscathed!
