A hard lesson learned

This past Thursday we were getting ready to go to the Post Office (ours is in a specialty/craft store) and the boys asked if they could get a gumball when we were there. We haven’t been spending money on fun things lately, so I thought I could spare 75 cents. I gave them each a quarter and told them that it was their responsibility to put it in a safe place and not lose it. I also followed up with if they lost the quarter by the time we got to the Post Office then they would not be able to get a gumball.

After asking my middle son, John, a couple of times to put his quarter in a safe place, I realize he had to make the choice, I had given him the quarter. When we got to the Post Office the tears started flowing, John could not find his quarter. We all helped him look for it, but we could not find it and it was time to go mail our package. I had to be firm and tell him that he couldn’t get a gumball because he had lost his and that was the rule. So we go in, his tears still flowing, the other two get their gumball, I mail the package and we are on our way.

The way home was the worst, you can hear and smell the other boys enjoying their gum. John just couldn’t control it, he was so upset and so was I. I would of loved to save the day and give him another quarter, but those weren’t the rules. This was a learning experience for he and I. My heart was breaking for my five year old as his tears were streaming down his face, but I also had to be consistent. What kind of mother would I be if I always saved the day? I would have boys who did not care about responsibility or independence. My God wants me to raise boys who are both of those things and more and because of that I had to stay strong.

The tears had stopped by the time we had gotten home and his Daddy met us at the door. When Monte saw him of course he asked what was wrong. John had me tell him because he was still on the brink of tears. I told Monte the story and after I was able to hug and kiss on John and tell him how much I loved it. I also explained again that the money was his responsibility and that at some point he’ll get another chance! We are never going to stop messing up, we are human, but at the end of the day I do believe John learned a hard lesson or at least that is my prayer!