Growing Pains (In the ARSE) - Ugh

Wow. How do you know when a young person is ready for added responsibility? Do they take their chores seriously or do they slack and not follow through?

I am a delighted mother of 2 boys. 10 and 3 years old...the ten year old is itching for independence. At first I thought I was the one that wasn't ready for such independence...but today clearly shouted out that he isn't either.

I have arranged for after school care complete with transportation for the 2 hours (give or take) after school that corresponds with me getting off work, picking up the youngest and then getting the oldest.

Today, Mr. 10 decides that he isn't going to take the transportation and head on home so he can hang with his friends. Mom drives to the after school site and no one has seen Mr. 10 and verified he never got on the bus. (He claims to have forgotten that he needed to get on said transportation...)

After driving home, checking neighbors, calling the sheriff...he rides up on his bike with one of his buddies. I wanted to hug and kiss him and beat the living daylights out of him all in the same momentary emotion. I chose to hug him. I called his Dad...since we are co-parenting now and we handled this in an impressive way. We agreed on the punishment and actually talked like civilized adults. (Knowing full well he is blaming me for this the whole way...but that's another blog!)

I explained to Mr. 10 about the dangers that are out there when Mom and Dad are not around and shared with him my understanding that he wants more independence but he must realize the boundaries that exists for his protection. (That went over like a fart in an elevator let me tell you!) Um, I am talking to a 5Th grader now...and don't you know...you and I are not smarter than 5Th graders...sh uh....

Crisis is over and I am sipping on a yummy beverage whilst Mr. 10 is cleaning his room and occasionally popping up here to my room to verify said terms of punishment. No you can't play outside, no you can't watch TV even if it's with your brother, yes you can read, yes you can do math, no you can't ride your bike by yourself, no you can have no friends over...for ONE WEEK. That means next Friday night when Dad's parenting time begins.

So there.