The World According to Alex

This morning started out fine, but went quickly down hill. While Alex was eating his breakfast, he asked to ride his new bike to school. I told him that he could not do that, but that we could ride his bike home from school today (I can walk up to pick them up), and he was quite excited at that prospect.

Then it was time for Alex to get dressed. I asked Alex to get dressed before the five minute timer when off, and I could hear he wasn’t doing it. I gave him the two minute warning, and a one minute warning, and when the timer beeped I walked into his room and there he was with his pajama pants and undies off, the clean clothes I had laid out flung all over the room (except for the t-shirt, which he was swinging over his head). The pantsless wonder. I was livid (usually, the five minute timer thing gets him very motivated) but realized I hadn’t done a good job of telling him the consequences of not being dressed in five minutes. So, I took away a story at bed time (a typical consequence, though probably not the best choice in this situtation since it was so separated, time-wise, from the action) and told him very clearly: “I am going to set the timer for two more minutes [usually when he is motivated, he can actually get dressed in two minutes, and doesn't take the whole five]. If you are not dressed when two minutes is up, you will not ride your bike home from school. ” Thinking to myself, there, that time I set a firm consequence, and it is something that should motivate him.

But Alex was in a testing mood. He still didn’t do it. So, as promised, I told him no bike ride home. Oh the fit that ensued! Crying, begging, please please please! I firmly said actions have consequences and I am sorry, but I have to see it through. He appologized for not listening. I said I was glad he said sorry but that does not mean he gets his ride back because that is not how the world works. He got dressed (quickly, I might add) and went back to begging.

When we climbed into the car, Alex informed me: Mommy, you do not take things away from children. That is not the way the world works.

Oh, were that true, my life would be a lot simpler, Alex! I hope someday you see that I am trying to be consistent for your own good.