You have to prepared for everything and sometimes, well, you just aren't.
I just returned from a pool party. An hour early. Elizabeth pitched a fit of epic proportion over, well, I'm still not quite sure, but I told her once to either go back to the pool or walk with me to the showers where she could get dressed and when she refused both I added the old, we-can-go-home-if-you-don't option thinking I was all smart and she'd make a choice and I could then go back to sitting on my ass
Guess who didn't follow the plan?
And you know what? I really, really didn't want to pick her up and take her home because her brother was behaving like an angel in that pool and, whoops, didn't think about him when I threw out that threat. I
And there I was, squatting on a wet floor in front of ten other parents who were trying desperately not to appear as though they were watching the whole thing.
Let it go or follow through?
Man, I really wanted to let it go. But I didn't. And to be honest, if all those eyes weren't watching me out of their peripheral vision, I might have, but I knew if I did, the next party would be even uglier.
So as calmly as I could I had Adam exit the pool. I squeezed all three of us through the crowd into the extremely tiny party room where the rest of the parents and our things were waiting. I attempted to explain to the hostess what the hell was going on amidst the chaos, but I think all I got was a half-hearted wave as I literally dragged one screaming child through the parking lot with another repeating "I want to stay, what did I do?" over and over while the whole party had their faces pressed against the glass watching it all.
At that moment I could have melted right into the pavement.
What do you think the odds are that they'll all move away before school starts?
I am so embarrassed. My heart is still thumping hard two hours later.
I am not strong enough for this. My weak is showing. I am waving my white flag.
3 comments:
You absolutely did the right thing. I find it hard to believe the rest of the parents have never been in that position. I think you were incredibly brave to follow through. I'm sure if you ever see the parents again you can laugh about the situation with them, I hope!
Those damn ultimatums! I hate it when I throw one out without thinking. Especially since you could have had her sit in the corner the whole time or something but forgot and used the "leaving" one and UGH! Darn kids.
Don't be embarrassed. You did the right thing and I am sure that a couple of those parents wished that they had your follow through. Sorry bought the other kid getting caught in the middle but it is a life lesson for all. If you feel like it you could always call the mom that had the party and apologise.
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