The Writing Mamas Daily Blog
Each day on the Writing Mamas Daily Blog, a different member will write about mothering.If you're a mom then you've said these words, you've made these observations and you've lived these situations - 24/7.
And for that, you are a goddess.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Showdown
My 4-year-old announced for at least the tenth time as we drove to the airport that she WOULD be taking her prized purple roller suitcase on the plane with her. The idea had moved to the top of her list of cool things to do ever since our last flight. It was then that she realized some passengers actually brought their luggage on the plane with them -- and she’d been missing out.
“We’ll see, honey,” I muttered under my breath. Not on your life sister, I thought.
I’m proud of her independent streak. But from past experience I know that in her hands -- in a busy airport -- the little purple suitcase can be a lethal weapon. I’ve seen terror on the faces of other travelers as they’ve narrowly escaped having their toes pulverized or knees bashed by this deadly duo as it steamrolls its way from curb to check-in counter.
“Okay, honey -- give the lady your case,” I instructed her when it was our turn to check in.
“NO! I’m taking it on the plane!”
“No, you’re not,” I said as the woman behind the counter eyed me and my tiny foe skeptically.
Minutes passed as we wrestled with the suitcase. My daughter’s protests grew louder. The line behind us grew longer. It was time to pull out the big guns.
“Honey, if you give the lady your suitcase, we’ll get jelly beans,” I cajoled, digging deep into my bribery arsenal.
Surely the promise of a favorite treat -- before breakfast -- would do the trick.
She just glared.
Peering over my shoulder, I saw a sea of hostile faces staring back at me. The woman behind the counter looked equally irritated. It was time for this showdown to end. And I knew I wouldn’t be the victor.
Trust me -- I don’t always cave in to my daughter’s demands. As a mom, though, I’ve found that living by the mantra “choose your battles” is sometimes necessary to preserve my sanity.
“You are NOT getting jelly beans,” I hissed as we walked away.
“But I want something UNHEALTHY!”
She didn’t get the jelly beans. But she did have an ear-to-ear grin as she lugged that suitcase onto the plane.
By Dorothy O’Donnell
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“We’ll see, honey,” I muttered under my breath. Not on your life sister, I thought.
I’m proud of her independent streak. But from past experience I know that in her hands -- in a busy airport -- the little purple suitcase can be a lethal weapon. I’ve seen terror on the faces of other travelers as they’ve narrowly escaped having their toes pulverized or knees bashed by this deadly duo as it steamrolls its way from curb to check-in counter.
“Okay, honey -- give the lady your case,” I instructed her when it was our turn to check in.
“NO! I’m taking it on the plane!”
“No, you’re not,” I said as the woman behind the counter eyed me and my tiny foe skeptically.
Minutes passed as we wrestled with the suitcase. My daughter’s protests grew louder. The line behind us grew longer. It was time to pull out the big guns.
“Honey, if you give the lady your suitcase, we’ll get jelly beans,” I cajoled, digging deep into my bribery arsenal.
Surely the promise of a favorite treat -- before breakfast -- would do the trick.
She just glared.
Peering over my shoulder, I saw a sea of hostile faces staring back at me. The woman behind the counter looked equally irritated. It was time for this showdown to end. And I knew I wouldn’t be the victor.
Trust me -- I don’t always cave in to my daughter’s demands. As a mom, though, I’ve found that living by the mantra “choose your battles” is sometimes necessary to preserve my sanity.
“You are NOT getting jelly beans,” I hissed as we walked away.
“But I want something UNHEALTHY!”
She didn’t get the jelly beans. But she did have an ear-to-ear grin as she lugged that suitcase onto the plane.
By Dorothy O’Donnell
Labels: children, luggage, mothers, vacations
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