Solidarity

I needed to make a phone call that would require my full, uninterrupted attention. So, like a Good Mom, I moved my kids' high chairs into the living room and put them in front of a DVD. Strapped in and distracted...that should do it, right? Nope, they're gonna get bored quick this way, I acknowledged.

 I know! Play-dough!

We'd gotten play-dough for their birthday and used it just a few times. Abbey and Luke both loved it. So I divided out the play-dough on their trays, reminded them not to eat it, and headed to my bedroom to have my phone conversation in peace.

I finished up rather quickly and came back out into the living room to find my cherubs smiling and playing happily in their high chairs.

And play-dough ALL OVER my house.

They'd made 7,520 play-dough balls, and hurled them in every direction.

Now to be fair, I'd never told them we don't throw play-dough, so they weren't in humongous trouble. It wasn't blatant defiance. But. I do feel like they are old enough and understand enough to have guessed that chucking play-dough in every direction was likely a no-no.

I told them so.

"We do NOT throw play-dough! It makes a BIG mess and can get stuck places which is very bad...do you understand?" They half-nodded and half continued to watch their DVD. I shut if off and asked them to look me in the eyes while I waxed on about how we only play with play-dough right in front of us, it's okay to roll it into balls, but not to throw them...yadda yadda yadda. I can't remember exactly what I said, but I'm quite sure they retained every word of it.

Normally we make them clean up (or at least help) any mess they make, but this was a delicate situation. There were play-dough landmines EVERYWHERE just waiting to be smooshed into my carpet and couches. So I cleaned off a portion of the couch, and picked them up and set them on it, with a strict warning to STAY PUT.

As I went about carefully navigating my living room while cleaning up, I saw Lucas slowly move towards the end of the couch.

"You need to stay on the couch" I sternly reminded him while I picked up ball #4,218.

He inched further.

I let it slide and kept going. Waiting to see if he was going to chose to obey or not.

He slllooowwwllly slid off the couch. And waited.

I stood up, walked over to him, picked him up, and carried him into his room.

"You didn't listen and obey Momma, so you are in Time Out" I said as I plopped him in his crib and walked out of the nursery.

I came back in the living room to find Abigail on the edge of the couch. We locked eyes.

I could see it in her face...the inner turmoil. Where did her loyalties lie? Abbey is a total Momma's girl who is usually devastated when I discipline her. But she also adores her brother.

Our stand off continued for a moment more before she gradually slid herself off the couch.

I walked over, picked her up, and carried her to her room.

"You didn't listen and obey Momma, so you are in Time Out" I repeated as I plopped her in her crib.

As I turned to leave, I heard Luke - just above a whisper say "hi sishter" and they both dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Luckily my back was turned so they couldn't see the broad smile across my face.

As much as I do not like being disobeyed, it made my heart swell to see them in it together.