Last instalment of the Freezie series

It appears like kids forget what their parents tell them if that information is not reinforced at least a few more times.

Last Friday, Hans was at it again. He forgot the economics lecture from 4 weeks ago and insisted that I buy him the darned $2 freezie! Hans stared at the freezies like a starved kid while I glared at him like a mom from hell. Hans' friend K's mom offered to buy it for him. It wasn't about the money. It was a matter of principle!

I looked at Hans and said, "It is your mom or the freezie! Choose!"

All Hans had to say to that was, "You don't know how it is to be a child!" And literally shut down on me!

I insisted on knowing if it is his mom or the freezie?! And he gave me back my own words by saying that if I was dying, he would pick me. But since that isn't the case, he is picking the freezie.

Wow! That is what he got out of my oft repeated "It is not life or death!".

That was the 5th Friday and fortunately, there is only one more left! Hopefully, that was the second and last conversation with Hans about the $2 freezies.

We did wrap up the day on a good note though. Before he dozed off, Hans wanted me to know that I am the greatest mom; however, he can say mean things to me when he is angry. He asked me to not take them too seriously!

I was so mad at Hans for a few hours and he was upset at me too. Between the two of us, he turned out to be the better person. He not only did not get the freezie, he reflected on his behaviour and apologized to me. And I simply took out all my frustration related to the freezies on Hans and I did not think twice about my behaviour.

And that is exactly what has been happening on the playground...

Some parents are retaliating against the $2 freezies by bringing their own freezies and distributing them on the playground. While doing so, they have created a have/have not culture and younger kids have been severely disappointed and have even cried bitter tears. Some parents have complained to the Principal and some parents have rebelled against the Principal. Eventually, an email went out requesting all parents to stop distributing "snacks" after school. The dilemma that some parents were left with was that selling the $2 freezies is also like buying an after school "snack" and that it has also led to a have/have not culture! Depending on which parent one speaks with, there will be different perspectives!

I am glad that in spite of his own personal feelings about it all, Hans is letting me uphold my own principles.

Thank you bubs!