Annalyn came to tell me that Dennis broke my travel mug. Right away, I sensed something was up because my travel mug was up in a cupboard where Dennis couldn't possibly reach it. As I inquired more, Annalyn told me that Sveta told her, and Sveta told me that was what she heard Anna telling yet another sibling. Since another travel mug had been broken just a few short months ago, I wanted to know how this one got broken and by who. It didn't take me long to focus my attention on Miss Anna who quietly admitted to climbing on the counter to get the mug and fill it up and drink out of it. Ahhh, how cute (honestly) that my little girl wants to be like me. Truly I take into account that my daughter wants to imitate what I do, but it doesn't trump the fact that my daughter did not have permission to use my travel mug. Granted, Dennis was the one who picked it up and dropped it on the cement, but Anna was the one who left it out where he could get to it.
"Thank you for telling me the truth Anna. But that doesn't erase the fact that you got it out without permission and you led your sisters to believe that Dennis was the only one responsible. Not coming and telling me about the mug was dishonest, but I am so glad that you chose to tell me the truth. I am going to be replacing my travel mug and you are going to have to pay for it because that is the right thing to do. If I broke something of your, I would replace it too. Do you understand? Next time please ask for permission and be prepared to hear a no because there are some things that you are just not allowed to use. When you get older, you can have your own travel mug."
And my Anna nodded her pouty little face and said, "Yes, Mama, I won't do it again and I will go get my money to buy you another one."
12 inspiring thoughts:
I think that was the perfect way to discipline! The punishment fit the crime and you really respected her. How sweet that she wants to be just like you!
You need to get a stainless steel travel mug. Those things are indestructable. Then everyone could use it.
Perfect. I can't imagine how it could have been handled any better.
Awww, sweet baby. :)
I love it when they respond so well to instruction and correction. :)
Awww, how sweet she is. Isn't it so hard to follow through on things like this? It is for me. Good job!
What a great way to handle this! Glad she handled it so well!
The response of Anna was totally in par with your response to what happened. You both handled it really well! I love reading your blog because of entries like this that help me in my own parenting.
Oh, how much better to deal with things like this with wisdom and patience, like you did, instead of yelling and screaming! It teaches children respect to have some things off-limits, I think. Isn't if fun when a child comes up to you with one of those fishy stories?
Good job Anna! She responded so well!
I have a hole in my wall in my bathroom from a year ago and to this day, I still don't know which one of my three did it. Would you please take the time to come to Kansas City and interview my three so I can finally get to the bottom of this mystery?
Good job with the parenting skills. I think your awesome with your children.
Sound like the same thing that goes on in my house where #2 dd opens the door and the baby crawls outside and then #2dd comes to tell me baby is outside. YEAH she is outside because you opened the door. Same thing happens with the shower door. Baby goes in after #2dd opens the door and then gets all wet. I think she is actually trying to get her into trouble...hmm....thinking about that one.
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