I came home from a late night up at school recently. Mike had the night time routine in progress. Things were winding down, both kids were showered, Elaine was doing addition and subtraction flash cards with him and Warren was in his room.
As I walked by W's room, I noticed he looked a little...forlorn. (Is that the right use of that word, I have no idea. I'd like to think I have a fancy vocaulary, but I do not! Anywho... ) I paused in the doorway and asked what was wrong. He shook his head like nothing was wrong. Not buying it, and trying to avoid any future anxiety breakdowns, I pressed on. "Seriously G (um, Warren G and the G funk era if you were curious), what gives. You look sad. You need to talk to me about it or I can't help you."
Still nothing. No verbal communication of any kind, just a firm 'no' headshake.
I sat down on his bed and informed him that I wouldn't budge until he spilled his guts.
Reluctantly, he came and sat by me and then buried his head in his pillow as he said, "I'm just aggravated by dad. He says I have to go to bed early and I'm not even tired and it's not fair!"
Now is when I will pause to fill you on some details. Monday, he has an early morning club, so he was at school from 7:05 until 3:30. Tuesday, he had an early morning club and afternoon club, so he was at school from 7:05 until 4:55. This was Tuesday night. We had noticed his GIANT BAGS under his eyes while at dinner. And the bedtime? Was 9 instead of 9:30. Isn't Mike the meanest? PS, I was totally down with this plan!
In response to Warren I said, "well, I've got dad's back on this one. We explained to you why you had to go to bed a half hour early. And as a kid, you certainly are allowed to be aggravated with us, but it's not going to change anything. You're still going to bed early and you are indeed tired."
He raised his head off the pillow, tears still filling his eyes, but not spilling. "Well now I don't have time to play legos and read. So I'm just not going to do either one!"
Seriously nine year old giant of mine? You think that's going to make us change our minds? You're in fourth grade, have you not figured this all out by now? Whatever.
As I left his room, I said, "I guess you'll just be aggravated and lie there and pout for 30 minutes before bed. That will totally show us!"
Kids these days. What are you gonna do? Does he have any clue how aggravating my parents were? I mean sheesh!
