Monday, September 17, 2007

For the last time, "Rice Krispies do NOT go up your nose...."

Everything went sort of back to normal today. Due to my rash finally going away the "little angel" came back today. She was very excited to be back, as we were to have her back. The first thing she did when she came in was hug everyone, and then proceed to show us all the Video Now Jr. she acquired while she was gone. It took "little Mark" less than half a second to ask, "Can I see it?" Then, the normal fighting began. :-) Ahhhh.... just like old times.

I then tried to begin school with "little Mark" while Nana made a bowl of Rice Krispies for "angel". Yeah, school..... uhmmmmm didn't start out so well. He let it be known that he most definitely did not want to do school today. I am not sure if it was hormones, or surviving the shingles, but I was not putting up with any foolishness today! The boy was in for a time. Aunt Wendy got TOUGH, and didn't back down. Not only did he get the assignments, he had to do them mostly on his own, and he had to do some of them twice. (When I say I want it written neatly it BETTER be written neatly!) I did not accept any excuse or foolishness. He did end up in his room for awhile, but when he came out his attitude had changed for a bit. I was all business today, and he took note of the attitude change, and did not like it one bit.

But you know what? Things got done. He realized Aunt Wendy actually has a backbone, and I am dead set on him learning. We have been reading the Little Britches series at night. Well, I decided that after today I needed a break, so I crotcheted, and I made HIM read. You would have thought I had asked him to build a house without a hammer, but eventually he caved in and read. Oh yeah, that will be happening a lot more.

I decided to do a few things the old fashioned way. The saying "Idle hands are the devil's workshop" spoke true, because I didn't give the boy time to be idle. I went "old school" when he talked back and I grabbed him by the ear. Oh yes ma'am, I did. I only had to body check him 2 or 3 times. (Just kidding about the body checking) :-) But, I did get his attention. I am now "Mean Old Aunt Wendy", and I am considering it the highest of compliments. When he went to bed I did tell him that I loved him very much, but I would not tolerate any foolishness tomorrow, and he could expect more of the same. Believe me when I say he doesn't doubt that one bit.

It may sound like I am being harsh, and I admit that I am, but by the end of the day he knew I meant business, and I think the next few days will be easier.

On the other hand "angel" (and I do use the term loosely) did fairly well. She learned her "Bs" and water colored. Unfortunately she also got into the bread, spilled the Rice Krispies on the floor, and then proceeded to put one in her left nostril. I was working with "little Mark" and happened to see her almost put one in her nose. I said "Don't do that", and of course she stopped. Until she went to the other side of the room, and then came to me with a shocked look on her face saying "It won't come out." I calmly put my finger on her right nostril, pinching it closed, and said "blow." She did, it popped out, and I looked her in the eye saying, "Don't ever do that again." She very calmly said, "Yes, Ma'am.", picked up her bowl and took it straight to Nana. I don't think she will be having Rice Krispies for awhile. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

4 comments:

Princess LadyBug said...

Wendy darling, you are not being harsh at all. He pushes so that he can learn his boundaries. It's your job to show him where they are. He's getting a darn good education and he needs to earn it. Public school would be far harder on him.

Tell him I expect him to behave and he had best not use my visit on Wednesday as an excuse to act up like he has the last couple of times. I've got a few things for both of you, but he'll learn I'm not nearly as nice as Aunt Wendy. Those things can certainly go back home with me and be given to someone that doesn't take his education for granted.

Can't wait to see you. :)

Sarah said...

I agree with Princess Ladybug. You are teaching him a lot of things, and this current lesson is going to make him a better person. Kids are going to test boundaries, and those kids who don't encounter any end up to be nasty, whiny adults.

In fact, whenever we see an adult acting the fool in public, Eric usually whispers to me, "Somebodys mommy should have said 'no' more often!"

And as a former public school teacher, public school would be *FAR* harder on him.

Julie said...

I have a nephew, who is now 21, who used to call me the whooping lady. The funny thing is, I never touched him. But I was one of the only people in his life who gave him boundaries and expected him to stay within them. And you know what, we had a great relationship. You go girl!

WendyDarling said...

Thank you, ladies. I seriously needed to hear this. :-)