situation 1

A. I let David climb through the front seat of the car on his way to his booster seat, and he tracks muddy foot prints all over the upholstery, but he gets in quickly and cheerfully. I carefully sit on my muddy seat.

B. I save the carpeting but risk being late to pick up Rose while I rack my brains to creatively convince David to get in his car seat NOW and sit down PLEASE.


situation 2

A. Fifteen minutes post-bedtime, Rose calls me upstairs. She is having bad thoughts about fire. If only I would tell her a story, she would feel better. I sense that she is testing/being manipulative/forming a pattern I'm not going to be happy with and refuse.

B. I tell the story possibly sacrificing my integrity and forcing my brain to be creative when I'm running on fumes.


situation 3

A. A few days before I told Rose she could get out of cleaning the bathrooms, but she needed to do some other cleaning for the family. Today will be the day. Because I want to keep my promises and maintain that sense when Mommy says so, it happens, I go ahead and set her up for mopping the dining room. To make this happen, I have to tidy, move the furniture, sweep, and then squeeze the mop every few seconds even though I really should be taking out the garbage, taking out the recycling, doing the laundry, and making dinner.

B. I delay her job to some indefinite date and let her work on a puzzle while I take out the garbage, take out the recycling. . .

My Answers

situation 1. B

I admit, I looked with some chagrin at the muddy footprints, but since I am basically a slob, there was really no contest here.

situation 2. AB

I split the difference. I told her the story but said that it could not become a habit. I believe she was truly scared and truly trying to stretch the bedtime routine.

situation 3. A

I went with A. even though I'm sure John would have preferred B and I had to do all the other tasks post bedtime. I just felt really strongly about that holding the line thing.