Quiet Defiance

One of my children is not always compliant. I know. You thought they were all perfect. Those subtle, little, annoying not-quite-doing-what-you-ask kind of mini-behaviors can set me on edge. Here’s how my evening went- I noticed that one of my sweet ones was sitting on the couch playing video games and I obviously didn’t think before I said, “Are you playing video games? Did you get permission?” (Silly me.) “Yes!” Sweet One replied emphatically. “I asked you if I could play Words With Friends and you said Yes!” Oh, the sincerity of children! Except that she was lying. Now, this particular child is fairly stable and doesn’t often lie, cheat or steal. Except that a sister just had a birthday and received a tablet. Sweet One does not own a tablet. But wants one. Badly. (Silly me) So I sent her into my room to wait while I decided that she needed an extra chore. After a little talk, she was asked to clean some spots off the kitchen floor. (I know, that consequence makes no sense at all- silly me.) So she laid crossways on the kitchen floor while spraying Fantastic on random places and watching it dry. So my husband, logical thinker, sent her outside to seek and destroy the dog poop in the front yard. Easy job. Not much poop there. So she went- because she is sweet and quiet and has never in her life said a disrespectful word. But she left all of the doors open on her way out. And when she got to the front yard you could hear her wailing for blocks. Let’s just say that, because she in inherently sweet,  eventually we got through it, she paid her ridiculously sentenced debt to society and we had another little talk and moved on to dinner. (Where is Bryan Post when you need him?) I have proven, once again, that no matter how many books you read, no matter how many tools in your parenting toolbox, sometimes you just lapse into the “old  ways” and do some pretty mindless things.  And I have determined to never be quietly defiant ever again. Lesson learned. Silly me.