Mean Moms and Nice Dads

So it was my turn to take the kids to school the other day and my strategy is usually to awaken them gently and slowly. Ever seen Adam Sandler in the movie Spanglish when he opens the door to his son’s room and says to him, “You don’t have to get up yet, but are you thinking seriously about it?” Well, that’s kind of my deal though I didn’t copy Sandler. I usually lie down next to them and enjoy the moment while gently asking them to get up. They eventually do and without much complaining. I’ll walk out the door after I’ve helped them get dressed and wait for them in the car. I do this because I’ve learned that kids will do what you do quicker then do what you say. So I’m driving Cris (7 yrs old) to school and then he tells me on his own, “Dad, you are too nice. You need to be more strict.” I asked him to explain as I tried to hold back laughter because I knew where he was going with that statement. He said, “When you wake us up I understand you are trying to be nice, but I really do need to get to school and I don’t want you to go to jail. Mommy is very strict with us and MAKES us get up.” He was referring to the fact that Letty storms in their rooms in drill sergeant fashion, turns the lights on and starts commanding them to “get up, get dressed, brush your teeth, get your back pack, hurry up, let’s go, I’m waiting for you to move and so on.” It’s pure misery. Lol! The irony is that Cris hates this approach and whines about it, but it puts him in school earlier than when I take them and they get there in time to eat breakfast too. Despite the misery he enjoys the end result. He enjoys breakfast and he enjoys not being cited for tardiness.Excessive tardiness results in absences. Cris cares that the truancy department not contact us as parents so he says he’d rather endure the misery of sergeant Letty than receive kind treatment by dad (we’re always the good guys by the way) and risk being late to school. In addition to criticizing my approach in getting him up he also questioned my driving speed and the route I took to school. He said I wouldn’t need to drive so fast if I just took the route that “mom” takes. Despite the unpleasant things Letty may put the kids through they understand even at such a young age that she does it for their own good and appreciate it despite the whining. I praise God for that. Happy Mother’s Day, Letty.