Runs With Scissors
Early train to L.A. this morning. When I got in the taxi the driver was very animated, talking about something or other. After I got to The Office and everyone was talking about leaving early because all the streets downtown were gonna get closed down. I left early... and ended up crossing over the street right in front of the beginning of the throng of people. It was actually a bit scary because cars were all over the place and we ended up taking some back road to the train station. A 5 minute ride that took about a half hour. I did however, with just a few minutes to spare, make the early train which meant I actually got home at a decent hour. In time to take care of "family life" ... and, oh, what a life.
As I sat in a meeting today my phone rang. It was The Husband. I know if he calls me when he knows I'm in a meeting that something has happened. Today The Daughter's teachers phoned our home. Apparently The Daughter's classmate decided to cut The Daughter's hair. She did, in fact, cut the hair. Big chunks are missing here and there but it isn't all that bad, it'll grow back. The Daughter then proceeded to "get her back" and so she cut the other little girl's hair... which was in a ponytail so she just cut the whole ponytail. Nice. Just lovely. They've been "banned" from using scissors all week and are not allowed to sit next to each other at lunchtime. Such punishment! At 5, that's pretty serious! Of course, this meant I had to come home and be the stern parent. After being gone all day, this isn't the most fun thing to do. We had to call the other family, apologize, etc. I didn't tell The Daughter I was mad, I told her I was disappointed in her. Her little face crumpled. I was disappointed in her. She's always been so much different than this.. it's like she's suddenly hit this stage where she's just gnarly. At least I recognize it is a phase... how long does this one last?
I read a lof of the new Matthew Sweeney book on the train today. I really like it. I like the attitude of his writings. The pictures are interesting to look at it too.
In case you are keeping track as I am... nope, no mention of The Request yet.
Comments
Remind me to tell you about my scissor story, maybe I'll blog about it.
Posted by: Tiff | May 2, 2006 1:34 PM
I am sure you and the other parents had some choice words! Document it in photos so you can show her future husband.
:)
Posted by: ciodude | May 2, 2006 3:38 PM
Even the gentle disappointment seems overdone to me. How natural a reaction.
are you so far from nature. would you have her repress all.
I laughed when my daughter cussed a teacher who had gotten very angry with her for leaving her seat -- to help another child. The teacher said she used inappropriate speech. I said it seemed appropriate, and I wish she could be more mindful of what the children were.
oh well.
love your blog.
Posted by: larry flescher | May 2, 2006 7:56 PM
I think there is a huge difference between a child who gets in trouble for leaving their desk to help another child than one who gets in trouble for chopping the ponytail off another little girl. I am disappointed and I think it is okay for our children to know when we are disappointed. She's a very bright 5 year old and she knew cutting someone's hair wouldn't be okay.
I'm not sure what you were getting at -- am I so far from nature? No, I get why she did it, I get her responses... I even get my reaction... I think it wouldn't be beneficial for me to chalk it up to "kids will be kids" -- as parents, we do have the responsibility to teach our children what is right and what is wrong. In this case, her action was very clearly wrong.
A little bit of disappoinment goes a lot further than even the greatest of anger in a child's life.
thanks for the compliment though...
Posted by: Julie | May 2, 2006 8:05 PM