Today at HEB Carson got 50 points and was so excited to have gotten the most. Then Betsy got “instant winner” and he was not so excited. He was pretty pissed about it. As we waited in line to get her prize I kept talking to him about how sometimes in life you get great stuff and sometimes you don’t and we should be thankful for when we have good things but not bitter or angry when we don’t and when someone else does. We should be happy for Betsy for getting a prize. (I need to remind myself to have this attitude ALL THE TIME!) Then the sweet lady at the customer service desk, seeing that Carson was upset, gave them BOTH a prize! He left happy, but I think my lesson might have fallen on deaf ears…
When we got in the car we were talking about what they got. Betsy got a water bottle and Carson got a scarf (left over from the winter I am sure but he did not care one bit). He said “Betsy will have water when she gets thirsty when we got camping. And I’ll be warm when we go camping. I’ll wear my scarf, but Betsy will get cold.” I had to hold back laughter but managed, “Actually buddy we can get her a jacket so she won’t be cold. And we’ll get you a water bottle so you won’t be thirsty.” I’m often reminded as a parent when the kids say selfish or rude things that I have those same thoughts sometimes (more often than I’d like) I have just learned to either put on a good face or know when to use a filter between mind and mouth. Yet I expect them to not even have the thought. I hope I’m not the only parent with these double standard problems. I am glad (kind of) to be reminded of my own shortcomings, though. It reminds me to be more gracious with the kids. Although I fail at that, too. Parenting is hard.
