The hard way

Lil Man had to learn a  lesson the hard way yesterday.  My hope and prayer is the lesson stuck and not to have to go down that road again.

We were coming into our neighborhood and saw a friend with her two little girls outside playing.  It was a fabulously, beautiful day!  So.... we whipped in their drive and go out to play for a little while.  It was just the boys and me.  We were chatting and playing and having a grand time.  LM loves younger kids..... mostly little girls.  He wants to put his arm around them and just in general love on them.  Well, that's all find and dandy until he starts getting a little too rough.  As the kids were playing, LM goes up behind the little one and pushes her.  I immediately address it and tell him if he touches her or does anything to her again we were going home.  He would get no warning or anything.... play time would be over.  A few minutes later (about 5 actually) LM looks at me and then proceeds to throw a tennis ball at her.  I walk over, grab his arm and off we go to the car. 

I was carrying the baby and walking/pulling Lil Man across friend's yard to my car.  LM was crying and pitching a fit the whole way.  I put him in the car and climbed in with the baby.  (BB is quiet b/c he's in awe of what's happening.  Poor child didn't know what to do.)  The whole way home (which was about 2 or 3 minutes) LM pitched a royal fit.  I didn't say a word to him..... we get home and I'm getting the boys out of the car and the child is still crying and carrying on.  At this point I've had enough, I raised my voice which I shouldn't have done but I was at my limit.  In the house now, LM decided to push his brother.  (I know at this point his actions are totally directed to get a reaction out of me.  His little brother just happened to be convenient.)  Off he goes to Time Out.  After the allotted 3 minutes, I bring him over to the couch and cuddle him to talk and explain how his actions were NOT going to be tolerated. 

10 minutes later...... The Hubby walks in.  He comes in so & so, and so & so are all outside visiting and chatting.  I laugh..... "Yeah, we were there.  LM decided to make some not so good choices."  After a few minutes, we load up as a family (on the golf car) and head back to friend's house.  It's just her and the girls again.  We stop and let the kids play again.  LM was on his best behavior.  Friend's oldest and LM are the same age.  They were playing with a soccer ball together and tripped over each other playing.  My poor child..... as he's on the ground he looks back at me.  I'm guessing to make sure he's all good and not going to get in trouble.  I had witnessed the whole thing, It was all in good fun so I just laughed and said get up and play.

Disciple is probably the hardest thing in my book when it comes to raising children.  TH and I do our best to be consistent and realistic disciplinarians.  But, neither of us are perfect.  There are times when one of us loses our cool and raises our voice.  We try to balance each other out the best we can.  BUT, I will not allow my child (either of my children) to bully those smaller, younger or less fortunate than they.  PERIOD.  Lil Man plays rough with older kids.... and I'm okay with that.  He has to learn when it's acceptable and when it's not.  I hope the lesson of yesterday stuck.