A Little Bribery

The other Saturday Kimmie wanted to go shopping. This is not new. She wants to go shopping almost every day. I told her that maybe we would go to the store on Tuesday. This did not make her happy! Tuesday seemed too far away.

Then I had an idea.

I told her that if she was a really good girl at church the next day we would go shopping.

She smiled and shook her hand "yes".

I told her that she needed to be happy in Sunday School, that she needed to color and put puzzles together and be happy.

She smiled and shook her hand "yes".

I told her that everything needed to stay on the table and nothing should be thrown on the floor.

She smiled and shook her hand "yes".

She is not very good with consequences, so I wasn't sure if she could follow through with this, but it was worth a try.

On Sunday morning we talked again about her being a good girl. No crying. No screaming. No throwing things on the floor. Happy girl.

We went to early church. Kimmie was happy. Bethany was there sitting next to her on one side with Mommy on the other.

Early church ended and Bethany left to go to her class. Kimmie started fussing. I asked, "Do you want to go shopping today?"

"Yes!" Big smile. The fussing disappeared.

We walked to the elevator and took it to the third floor. When we stepped off the elevator, Kimmie looked down the youth wing hallway for Bethany. Not seeing Bethany she started to fuss. I said, "Do you want to go shopping today?"

"Yes!" Big smile. No fussing.

I walked her down the hallway and told the folks in her class, "If she starts to fuss, ask her if she wants to go shopping today."

All through Sunday School I listened for Kimmie. Like I said she's not very good at understanding consequences. I did not hear her.

When it was time to pick her up I found her sitting quietly, rocking back and forth, and waiting for me. When she looked up at me, a big smile spread across her face.

She had a great day in Sunday School! It worked! We went shopping at two stores that afternoon!

Bethany advised me later that I have started something. Oh, well!

--Mom

My Girl

My girl has taken being a Mommy's girl to new heights this past year. It has been like having a 20-year-old toddler. Over the past year she has taken to crying when I leave her.

She has cried at school when I have been there and left her.

She has cried when the school bus pulls away from the house.

She has cried at church when I have left her.

And, sometimes, she even cries at home when I leave her.

It is like toddlers often do; however, a toddler can be picked up and comforted, not always successfully, but comforted none the less. A 20-year-old . . . not so much.

One Sunday as I sat in my Bible study class two rooms down from hers I heard her fussing. As I listened it stopped. I waited. Then I heard her fussing again, but it stopped. I waited. I thought the folks in her class must be handling her ok that day. I heard her again. Finally I decided to go see if they were ok or needed help.

Our little "smarty pants" was fussing and then watching the door to see if I would come. She would wait, if I didn't come, she would fuss some more and watch. When I peeked in the door, she saw me and started giggling. Such a little rascal!

--Mom