This week, my sweet innocent little girl, has been tough. You have pulled out all the stops and it seems that the week should be noted in our memories for you.
You were getting over a cold AND getting your last molar. So your Dad and I were trying to be understanding. BUT Monday night (after a wonderful date night with your dad - who was feeling pretty miserable himself!) you came home in a very defiant mood. But we talked about your defiance and you had multiple time outs and we eventually got you tucked in bed. (I do say WE because in the mood you were in it took one parent to help you along and one to take a break from your "adorable" self).
And then Tuesday morning came upon us. Let's just say that I lost track how many spankings and time outs you received I think we spent more time reading the Bible about what we should be doing than we spent playing. You successfully memorized Ephesians 6:1 in just 2 hours!!!!! We eventually got our act together and went to Target and Kroger (because where else can one go on a bad day but to Target???). Ofcourse you were an angel at Target - you had great fun on our scavenger hunt finding the products in the coupon pictures.
Let's talk about lunch. I asked you if you wanted carrots or green beans for lunch (let's remember here you hate carrots and love green beans). With a glimmer of evil in your eyes, you stomp your feet, and declare CARROTS. After an 1.25 hour stand off over Mom telling you to obey and eat the carrots, a couple time outs, and then you happily declared to me "Know you are praying and I still won't eat carrots" and a bowl gets tossed across the room. I decide at this point to declare the battle over and sent you to get ready for nap.
OH nap! Let's talk about nap. No nap on this particular day. Despite the fact that you really really really really needed the nap! I checked on you once to remind you to settle down and rest. You know the deal, don't have to sleep but do have to stay on your bed. At the end of your rest I open your door to find all over your bedroom a shredded (yes, shredded) library book! I ask you what that was - I really was in disbelief - your declaration only got you in more trouble "No more listening tore up the book". To say I was mad was an understatement. I just closed your door, put on my shoes, and went outside to call your Father. Oh, he was also completely shocked and dumbfounded at your actions. We really had no idea what your punishment would be. But we made a quick battle plan and I called the neighbors to see if they wanted company for a few minutes. Thankfully, they did want company and sitting on the floor playing puzzles with the neighbors was a great reprieve for us all.
Your punishment was given out later that night. Word of wisdom: giggling about your disobedience really only makes Mom and Dad want to give a more serious punishment. So you have lost the privilege to have books in your room, lost swimming lessons (which you were well aware that you were supposed to do that night), talked about forgiveness and remorse - big topics but really giggling about disobeying - NOT COOL, asked God for forgiveness and last but not least you made an apology note for the librarians.
After eating dinner (which was still drama filled!). I put your PJs on and you were in bed and asleep by 7pm.
Wednesday morning, the happiest little girl came giggling into our bedroom. Hugs for all. Sweet smiles. Obeying on the first time. Dad and I both were wondering "who is this child"???
Later that morning like a big girl, you walked into the library and gave your apology note (still giggling) and paid for the book with your "swim lesson money". On the way home, we talked about happy hearts and you said your heart felt better now that you had asked for forgiveness And then the giggles turned into fake weeping. Really??? This isn't remorse at all!
The week has continued with your giggles about tearing a book up. You have asked multiple times when your swim lesson (to which your Dad and I always respond "not this time" and then you giggle some more about tearing up a book). Your giggles are really not helping the situation!
And then Friday morning, we had a turning point. We were at the library and you saw a copy of the book you tore up. We got to look at that book and you were proud of the fact you paid for this book with your swim lesson money. We talked about how to be gentle with books. On the ride home, you informed me that tearing up books is not good and that you will obey Mom and Dad. The big exciting news - this was said with a genuine remorse. No giggles, no fake weeping, genuinely sorry for your actions.
So all this to say, it has been a tough week for us all this week - a week filled with attitude adjustments and trying moments for Mom and Dad (this was just the big situation - there is not enough space for all the little potholes you have created for the week!). But at the end of the week it is nice to look back and see that I think maybe you are beginning to understand that your choices have consequences.
Lydia, we do love you and as you told me several times after this week "consequences help me be a nice girl".
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