Life is Like a Recorder
My 9-year-old son can easily lose track of what he needs to get done and when. Although that’s pretty normal behavior for boys his age, it’s especially challenging because he loves to participate in a number of activities and clubs outside of our home. So we have an agreement: Before he can go to an activity, whether it’s Cub Scouts, AWANA or something else, he has to have his assignments for that activity done and also his homework. If he doesn’t, then he can’t go.
Consequences normally speak loudest to him. But follow-through is hardest for me. This past weekend, one of his clubs was having a root beer float night (one of his favorite events). But I had to tell him he couldn’t go because his assignment wasn’t done. I felt badly, but I told my husband I had to follow through to help teach him responsibility. He agreed.
My son felt really disappointed, but a little later he said, “Mom, you know life is like a recorder, sometimes the notes play well and smooth (the good days) and sometimes the notes just squeak (the bad days).”
Blessings,
Mary Darr
Editor, MOMSnext ezine
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