WHAT WAS I THINKING??

After two very busy weeks with his cousin Drew, out of the blue, JR just shifted from compliant to meltdown last night. After evening church services we took the boys for Soft-Serve Ice Cream, then came back home to catch up on the garden since we were away for a few days and it has really taken off lately. Come bedtime, JR wanted a snack, and when I reminded him he had a huge cone not 90 minutes earlier, he ran to his room crying, as if I just told him fun was cancelled for the rest of his life...After listening to his howl for 10 minutes I went in to try and talk to him, but of course he was having a pity party over the fact that he couldn't have another snack. That led to his refusing to brush his teeth. When it was clear he was in full meltdown mode, I picked him up and put him in bed. He didn't go quietly, and thus I told him since he did brush his teeth, NO MORE SNACKS! 30 minutes of crying and whimpering later, he feel asleep. Of course when I went to tuck him in before I went to bed, he looked so sweet and innocent, it was impossible to feel anything but utter love. And then when I whispered "I love you" as I always do, and inexplicably he whispered oh so softly "I love you too mommy", I was considering telling him he dreamt this whole scene up when he woke up in the morning, and pretend I knew nothing about this harsh punishment he would speak of!

This morning when he came into our room to greet the day, the first thing he said was "I know what I did wrong last night". Having full hold of my senses again, I used the opportunity to talk to him about appropriate and inappropriate behavior. He of course was very agreeable, and had all the right answers. And then, just when he figured he was golden, and I had absolved him of his transgressions, I reminded him that while I was pleased that he understood and was going to work harder at obeying rules, the punishment still stood. He simply grunted.

For some reason I chose oatmeal for breakfast, and then realized I could make a point with the cinnamon sugar I generally put in it. Instead I put slightly (and discreetly) sweetened fresh strawberries on top of his oatmeal. He loves strawberries and ate them first, then asked for cinnamon sugar. Of course that was my opportunity to remind him that sugars were off limits since kids who don't brush, can't have sugary foods. He didn't complain, which made me wonder whether he grasped what I was doing, but...

By the time dinner rolled around I was exhausted. I had rinsed/sliced/peeled/diced/whatevered a total of 10 fruits and vegetables including 3 cucumbers, 2 pears, a cup of cherries, and watermelon. It's great that he was eating such healthy food, but heck, I'm exhausted. Telling him to grab a yogurt or some pretzels or graham crackers is SO much easier.

I guess I really have to learn to choose my punishments more wisely! BUT, on a happy note, the child has voluntarily brushed his teeth vigorously 4 times today. Something tells me he is getting tired of cucumbers!