Logical Consequences

Another update on our Magic: 1, 2, 3 progress.  Today, Cole did not want to wear the button-down shirt I had out for him.  He was complaining, refusing to get dressed, and said, "I won't tell you what I want to eat until you get me different clothes."  Of course, I am not going to allow my 5-year-old to control me, but instead of getting upset and yelling, I decided to use logical consequences.  I said, "If you don't get dressed, I guess you will have to go to school in your pajamas, and other kids will laugh because it's not PJ Day.  And if you don't eat, you will be hungry."  Let me tell you, if you are going to say this, you have to be prepared to follow through!  I was ready to send him in his PJs with no breakfast.  Neither would seriously hurt him, and he would learn his own lesson, that making those threats would only hurt himself.  Not me.

Reed helped me out a little, offering to dress up as well, then telling Cole the only reason he wasn't is because it was his gym day.  Cole finally did get dressed and eat some breakfast, but we were running a little late at that point, after the delay.  So, I didn't have time to check the temperature.  As soon as we walked out of the garage, I yelled to the boys, asking if they wanted a jacket or sweatshirt.  They said no and we walked up to the bus stop.

At the bus stop, Cole started crying because he was cold, but I didn't have time to run back for a sweatshirt at that point.  He and Reed both said they never heard me ask if they wanted one.  Oh well.  Another logical consequence, I suppose.  They were only chilly for a minute or two before the bus came.  I'll pick Cole up in the car, and I'm sure Reed will run enough at recess to stay warm.

The hardest part was watching Cole (already having a tough morning) get on the bus and after 9 days of school, being forced to sit in the second seat.  It's common for kindergarten students to sit up front, but the bus driver waited until yesterday to enforce this, so Cole was used to sitting with his brother and other older friends.  He sat by himself, ready to cry again, much like that first day of school.  Breaks my heart all over again.  No smile afterward today.