Doing things you know you’re not supposed to do

It’s been a trying week.  And yes, I know it’s only Wednesday.  We have been conducting an exercise in pushing limits here at my house.  Sadly, all that means is that limits have to be enforced.  For the record, we’re pretty lenient here – the kid is allowed to do pretty much anything that isn’t likely to cause harm to a person or property.

Yesterday morning, we are preparing for a trip on the lake in a friend’s boat.  We both love boat trips and were looking forward to it.  I had said at the beginning of the week that if he could not follow instructions, we would not be going on outings with our friends.  That morning, there were two instructions.  I stated them clearly and obtained confirmation that they were understood.

• Leave the dog alone.  Do not poke, prod, kick, pet, feed or otherwise interact with her. (this was brought about after I caught him trying to haul her around by the collar)
• Do not throw the matchbox airplanes in the house. (I think this one’s obvious)

So now you all know what he was doing when he thought I wasn’t looking, right?  Say it with me…

THROWING THE AIRPLANES AT THE DOG.

*Sigh*

So, no boat for us.  If you had knocked on our door at that very moment, you would have been appalled at the crying, screaming and general fit-throwing that went on.  I was officially declared “The WORSTEST boat-mommy EVER” and there was a real speech about how *I* had caused us to miss our trip.  When I asked how on earth it was *me* who was responsible, he told me I could have just pretended like I didn’t see him throwing the planes at the dog .

We also had an incident of doing something you’re not supposed to but no-one ever told you so you didn’t know.  We learned (the hard way) that towel racks are not meant for hanging on.  In a spectacular display of good parenting (which I could do since I’m not the parent who will have to repair the towel rack), the kid and I talked about things we *can* hang on (like monkey bars) and things we can’t hang on (like towel racks and curtains) and the consequence will be giving up one of his fun evening activities so the towel rack can be repaired.

On the other side of the coin, for years I’ve been doing something I know I’m not supposed to do.  I drink Diet Coke.  Or now, I can say I *drank* Diet Coke, because I quit this week.  I know that sweeteners are horrible for you, I know they encourage weight gain, and I know that basically, diet soda has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.  So I quit, I’m done.  Only unsweetened tea and water for me now.  No, I don’t love unsweetened iced tea, but the family voted against my giving up caffeine all together (it seems lack of caffeine makes me.. uh.. difficult to live with) so that’s what I was left with.  Well, that and the occasional margarita…