Awesome

Bedtime last night with my 6-year-old son Tate was brutal.  The rigor of being back in school as a first grader for almost a full week had finally caught up with him - not to mention yesterday afternoon's four mile bike ride, playing outside, and reading for homework.  By 7:30 PM and after a meltdown in the bathtub, it was time for bed.  Even in bed there were lots of tears, but some snuggling, talking, and singing led to a night of hard sleep.

His mood was much improved when he woke up this morning, got dressed, and had breakfast.  But after breakfast, when he was supposed to be in the bathroom brushing his teeth, he was nowhere to be found.  As it turns out, he was hiding from us back in bed, upside down, refusing to go to school. My husband tried to discuss with him the consequences of such behavior, but Tate wasn't budging.  Normally my husband is the voice of calm and reason in the family, but in my new found role as stay-at-home-mom, I thought I would give this new thing I've found to possess, patience, a try. 

Me:  Tate, what's wrong?

Tate:  I don't want to go to school.

Me: Come on buddy, if you don't go to school and are acting this tired and cranky, you will have to go to bed early tonight, and you won't be able to stay up and have a fire with us.  Plus, you can sleep in late the next two days because it's Friday!

Tate:  You're not going to school. I don't want to go either.

Me: (Yep, he's got me there.) 

Tate:  You stay home and do nothing all day. I want to stay home, too.

Me:  (Really! Are you kidding me? Kid, you're going down.) 

Me: (Remembering to exhibit extreme patience and selecting my words carefully because he's only 6) Well, actually I do things all day long.  Usually, I come home and go for a run. Then, I do laundry, make all the beds, vacuum the house, do the dishes, make you brownies, clean the litter box, take a shower.....

Tate: (Giggling and getting out bed to go brush his teeth)

Me:....... mow the grass, water the plants, whack the weeds, scrub the toilet, clean the basement, vacuum the van, pay the bills.....

Tate:  Mom, you're awesome.

This moment could have escalated to tears and frustration, fighting, and a miserable start to the school day.  We have been there before, and those days were the worst. Instead, it turned silly and funny, and he made my day.

Sometimes, it's the little things that mean the most. I know that, but a lot of the time, I forget.  I was reminded this morning with a compliment, a giggle, and a hug and kiss on his way out the door.