So my morning started with a conversation with Madison that went something like this –
Madison; “Mummy can I take my Zooball to school today with its little house?”
Mummy; “No Madi you can’t take it to school as it has too many little bits!”
Madison; “but other children take them to school”
Mummy; “no because it will get lost and then you will be very sad”
Madison (screaming at the top of her voice); “You are so mean Mummy, I AM going to take it!”
Mummy; “calm down Madi we have to walk out the door in 5 minutes so please get your shoes on”
Madi then continued to cry and inform me of what a terrible mother I am and how everyone else’s mum lets them take what they want to school. I carried on getting ready ignoring the 4-year-old throwing a 2-year-old style tantrum in the middle of the dining room. I soon realised if I had any hope of getting her out of the door I was going to have to come to some sort of compromise. I am normally a Mum of my word and don’t back down (which is why she went into the you’re a mean Mummy routine so quickly) but I do believe in picking my battles and a Tuesday morning school run is not the time to go head to head with my very strong-willed daughter. My compromise was that she could take the Zooball but had to leave its house and clothes at home. Not completely satisfied, but understanding that me backing down even slightly was very rare, she put on her shoes and coat and reduced her screams to a wail for the walk to school.
I handed the sobbing Madison over to Miss Parker at the gate, funnily enough Madison managed to stop wailing long enough to tell said teacher that Mummy had made her sad by being so mean! Miss Parker proceed to guide Madi towards the door whilst listening to her tale of woe. I walked away and forgot all about it.
As normal the day flies by and before you know it you are back at the school gate on the home leg of the school run. The children all file out in the normal fashion, and I stand waiting for Madison. She is right at the back of the line and comes out with her head hung low – never a good sign. She got to me, looked up and burst into tears! “What’s wrong?” I asked and would you believe what her answer was?!?!?!?! “I’ve lost my Zooball Mummy!” Need I say anymore????????
Mum Juggling Life! 