A Farewell to Damien

It is amazing how quickly the tides can change where children are concerned. When I left for vacation I was frazzled, tired and even feeling some desperation about my son’s behavior. I’ve been back for four days now and he has yet to even visit the naughty mat. His manners have been absolutely impeccable and he has been a downright pleasure to be around. I have rediscovered my sweet child and it is such a refreshing change.

So, my question now is, what happened? Did his grandparents, unbeknownst to me, put him through some sort of old school behavioral boot camp while I was away? Did I need a break from him so that I could relax and refocus my energy on the positive instead of feeling exhausted and focused on the negative? Did he just need a break from me? Or, is it possible that he has turned a corner and grown up a little? I’d like to think that it is the latter but I am well aware that my frustration level with him was palpable and that a vacation from being a constant disciplinarian was just what the doctor, and my son, ordered. Perhaps, though, we are on the tail end of this difficult phase.

Maybe my son’s self-control is starting to kick in. Could it be that his room wrecker days are behind him and holes in the walls are no longer a legitimate concern? I need to check under the hairline at the base of his neck to see if the “666” has faded. If it has, perhaps I will be ready to retrieve the heavy object from their random hiding places throughout the house and move them back into his room.

Comments

[papa dale]

welcome back you glutonous pigs!!! Congratulations to Grandma and Pop-pop for their heroic efforts and sucess in re-routing your #1's energy level. We have often said that our grandkids are better behaved for us, this seems to have re-inforced that therory. I share your hopes that a new leaf may have been turned by T.P.H., and, will be waiting with baited breath for more progress reports. You might want to hold off on onlocking the storage closet for just a few days, just in case he's faking it. Good luck, and God Bless

[Aunt Becky]

I hope Papa Dale remembers these comments when we ask him and Grandma Mary to watch our children for us this fall when we go on our ten year anniversary trip.....

[Julianne]

Thanks Papa Dale, for the words of encouragement. I fully believe that children are better for their grandparents and for anyone other than their parents for that matter. My son has definitely made progress. We did have one time out incident last night (darn me and my cursed blog!) but it was fairly minor in comparison with past incidents. I'll keep you posted.

[Julianne]

Aunt Becky-

Surely the girls will be angels for Papa Dale and Grandma Mary. That's always the case. Then, we can take the blame for their bad behavior.

Where are you guys going on your trip?

[Aunt Becky]

Still not sure where we are going, but we are probably going to wait until Sept. or Oct. to go - - August is just so stinkin' hot, plus, we won't encounter a bunch of kids everywhere since they will be back in school then.