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This afternoon I dropped off Noah at gym class and Faith and I ran to the grocer for a few things -- a ripe avocado, baby greens, stain spray -- stuff. The closest grocer was a high-end grocery store on the rich end of town, not one at which I usually shop (as I'm neither high-end nor rich, not to mention it's not close by). I found my avocado and mixed greens, and then I meandered over to the laundry aisle for some stain spray.
I found the stain spray and then I found a box of Washing Soda, which I can't get at my discount grocer, as well as a bar of Fels Naptha. I grabbed a box and a bar and then I browsed. I'm probably one of the only people in the world who loiters in the laundry aisle. I love my laundry products. I saw they had some nice laundry baskets on sale for $3 each and grabbed two. I didn't become conscious of the fact that I broke my Lenten fast until I got to the car and realized I bought something we really didn't need. I didn't take them back. Such a sinner.
After we left the store I got a call from my mom and since we were just a couple blocks from her house she asked me to stop by. She had bought Faith a dress for Easter. And shoes, and socks, and a shrug. Faith tried on the dress, it fits, and it's darling. Thank goodness for grandma.
We left my mom, picked up Noah and headed home. Noah was happy because he enjoys gym class. And because when we arrived home he was about 92.5% done with school for the day (just an estimate). Faith was happy because she had a new Easter dress. And shoes, and socks, and a shrug. And a grandma who spoils her. I was happy because I had two new laundry baskets. See what a sinner I am? I coveted my laundry baskets more than I anguished breaking my Lenten fast.
Josh arrived home from school within the hour, and he was happy because he earned a good grade on a history test. It's so nice when we are all happy at the same time. Of course, it didn't last all afternoon, but it was nice while it lasted.
Josh is not always very happy when he arrives home from school. In fact, he rarely is, and that fact very much bothers me. I know other people get used to their kids being grumpy after school. I guess if my children went to school from kindergarten I'd be used to it. I remember one of Geoffrey's preschool teachers who said she used to have to practically throw raw meat onto the driveway to entice her daughter into the house when she got off the bus. I can't imagine doing that for 13 years. At this point Josh is an adult and there's not much I can do to make him happy, except offer a nice snack and the comfort of home. I don't like it though.
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I think the after-school grumpies directly relate to hunger and tiredness. My worst offender was Big Brother, who definitely needs his "recharge your batteries" time after being around lots of people and following THEIR schedule all day. I can understand, because I am the same way. When I was teaching, I had a bad case of after-school grumpies myself! Also, some kids get grumpy during transitions of any kind. Not sure which, if any, is the case for your Josh. But there can be plenty of reasons for this behavior. You can't MAKE him happy but offering a safe harbor and a good snack are definitely the right thing to do!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think his memories of coming home to good snacks from mom, a mom who is always there is so very important, crabby or not.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to homeschool though, because of that crabby thing I've heard of from others who send their kiddos to school.
It's not really a "sin" to break a fast from something you've chosen to fast from, is it?
If it is, I'm in big trouble from years past. (this year, I've done pretty good though)
I've spied so many books . . .in person and online that my brain is about to explode with the wants! I've only caved twice . . . just two books. I am sorry, but like you, not so much that I feel totally terrible to return them. LOL!
ReplyDeleteIt IS nice when everyone is happy. My school kids are kind of grumpy, but they're mostly quiet about it, and I really think it's tiredness, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a sin about the laundry baskets, either. And I think it's lovely that such a little thing can give you so much pleasure!
Barb,
ReplyDeleteJoshua has never been good at transitions. I always thought a child would be happy that the school day was over and he was home (I was when I was a kid), but we are not all the same, and I suppose it is the transition.
Jamie, No not a sin (I don't think), just that old sinful nature.
Glad I'm not alone, Sarah!
Sara,
I never really counted "not having grumpy kids at the end of the day" as a bonus to homeschooling, but I guess it really is!
There has been many-a-day that I had the grumpies also. NORMAL NORMAL NORMAL for people, kids, students anybody to be grumpy. Would be weird to be around people that were happy with a big fat grin on their face ...all the time. In my weakest moments I might just smack that grin off their face...sorry.
ReplyDeleteAll my kids are in school and the boys are normal boys. My girl is the happiest kid in the world. Everything is up and up and no frowns on her.
He is probably hungry and needs a back rub from mama. Works for my boys.
Like your laundry basket story.
I like your blog because you are real and not like some blogs out there that are perfect every single day. You have teens that act up ...that is real. They are going through a tough time in life. but you know that. AND we are all trying to get their naughty little teen-age butts to heaven!