You Sure May!

Yesterday, on a very long drive to pick one of my sons up from school, as I enjoyed my favorite station on the radio, I heard my daughter trying to get my attention. A tad upset at her timing, being that the radio had been off for about fifteen minutes straight prior, I turned off the music to inquire about what she needed.

“Mommy, you know last night, you hurt my feelings when you slapped my hand.”

“Do you know why I slapped your hand?”

“Yes, I finished all of my brother’s treat when he went to the bathroom without asking, but that was still mean. I don’t slap my baby’s hand when she doesn’t listen.”

“Hmm…so, you really don’t think what you did required a consequence, even though your brother was crying because you stole his treat?”

“Well, even when we do bad stuff, you said Jesus forgives us. You should say sorry to me, and you should just forgive me and not slap my hand ever again. I said sorry to him.”

I sighed and went on to explain the importance of being considerate of others. I continued by giving her the reason for consequences and what they achieve, as well as why the person dishing out the consequences is not obligated to request forgiveness. I did stress that it is important to be certain the offender is aware of why he or she is receiving a consequence.

I asked her if she understood, and she said she did. “So does that mean you’re going to slap my hand if I do bad stuff again? I don’t think Jesus likes that, but I’ll try not to do bad stuff.”

“Good, that’s fine. All of us do bad stuff and don’t listen. We just have to keep trying to be better every day. So, you’ll try hard, and I’ll try hard…deal?”

“Deal! I love you so much, Mommy. Thank you for turning the music off to listen to me.”

“I love you, too, mama. May I turn the music back on now?”

“Yep, you sure may!”