This morning I had a parenting dilemma. Not a big deal, but a dilemma still. So we had a crazy-as-usual morning. Breakfast, scriptures, piano practicing, lunch-making are usually on the to-do list before 8:00 a.m. I did not have any time to get dressed, so I actually drove my kidlets to school in my pajamas (which for me are a t-shirt and yoga pants), with crazy morning hair, and no my no- make-up face.
I live in a smallish, rural town and I drive my kidlets to a charter school every single day (including taking Baby Girl to kindergarten in the middle of the day.) It’s about a 10 minute drive there and 10 minutes back. So by the end of the day, I have driven that route 6 times. I’m pretty used to it, so normally it’s okay.
But this morning just as I walked in the door from taking them to school, my cell phone rings. It was Sweet Tween. She’d forgotten her science project. Yep. The science project that was supposed to be made out of a cookie–you know the kind. It was the project she had baked, frosted, and decorated all the night before. It was due in 20 minutes . . . . aaaargh!
I told her I would bring it, but I was not happy about it. I got into the trusty minivan with cookie project in hand, only to see the gasoline light was on empty. So now, in my pajamas, crazy hair, and plain face, I was going to get gas too. The neighbors didn’t even recognize me in this state.
So as I’m driving with the cookie project secured in the front seat, I’m having a parenting dilemma with myself. Should I teach my Sweet Tween and all my kidlets to be more responsible? (This is not the first time this has happened . . . they’ve all done it.)
I picture a mom in the Hallmark Card commercial. She would have said with a smile and a hug,”Oh, it’s okay, Dearie. It’s just a simple mistake.” And sweet music would play in the background. And then I picture Roseanne Barr saying to her kid, “I’m not bringing it! This will help you remember next time. Suck it up, kid!”
Which kind of mom am I? And is either one better than the other? I don’t know. I end up having to take the cookie project inside the school and up to her classroom. I’m pretty sure the office ladies did a double-take when I walked in.
I decided that Sweet Tween does need to have some kind of lesson learned from this. She’ll be charged and have to pay me for gas and delivery fees. It seems like a fair balance between Hallmark Mom and Roseanne.
So think about it? What would you have done? If you dare, leave me a comment and give us your ideas too.
