Tonight I had one of those parenting moments where you make the right decision for your child, but you still feel bad about it.
After work I’d had 
a client happy hour so I was out later than normal. I ended up getting home around 8:00p.m., just in time to play with the boys for a few minutes before getting them ready for bed. As I began wrangling the boys toward the bathroom to brush their teeth, Sean began to have a mini meltdown. In his mind, he wasn’t ready for bed.
I calmed him down and we wrapped up brushing our teeth. I then went to put Brady to bed while Sean got his jammies on. When I returned from tucking Brady in Sean was reading a book – a Mother’s dream, right? I look over at the clock and notice that it’s now 8:30 p.m. so I ask Sean for the book explaining that it is too late to read tonight. He instantly begins to melt down again, begging to be able to read the book.
I explained to him that I was sorry but that it was too late but it didn’t really sink in. He wanted to read. He burst into tears. I talked with him about the situation for a few minutes and in the end was able to reach an “agreement.” We ended up agreeing that he could read the book as soon as he got up in the morning.
I know I made the right decision but seeing him so upset and distraught over not being able to read a book just broke my heart. It’s such a blessing to have a child that loves to read and I just don’t ever want to squash that desire.
Where was Dad? He should’ve had the kids ready for bed — including reading books to them — by the time you got home.
Shannan you are a amazing sister your kids are the light of my day i love them… sean is just a amazing kid and we are all still learning from him xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
good luck
It’s tough being a parent! My 6-year-old had a meltdown late yesterday afternoon because she wanted to play with our neighbor’s daughter. Well…they had to go pick their puppy up at the vet. Then I told her they could talk on the phone and when I made her get off the phone so we could pick up her sister at daycare? She blew it. This time of year kids are exhausted and so pumped about Christmas. Heck, I want to have a meltdown.
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This time of year it is totally understandable for meltdowns over books, whatever. That has happened here too, you did the right thing!
Doug? Keep your nose out of it. She did what she could do in the situation. Scheduling snafu’s happen, especially this time of year.
I love you Headless! My Mom was watching the boys and they’d had story time, he just wanted to read more.
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Oh Sean sounds so much like Josh! It’s hard when they get “this big” and normally they act “big” but really — they’re just little still.
I’m always amazed when Josh has a melt down. He’s seven and should be over them… right?
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