Line in the sand

You know those moments where you draw that ethereal, and usually arbitrary, line in the sand?

You know the ones - where you've made a parental call, and instantly know that you're in for a battle. When you're faced with the choice of either holding that particular line or ca

ving to the building tantrum pressure. I hate those moments...

It could be anything. A treat after dinner, another book at bedtime, a request for a toy from the store. You never know what you're going to get when you take the position and often times, with the benefit of that irritating little know-it-all called hindsight, you probably would not have taken quite that strong or quick position in the first place.

But, you're harried, you respond to the request before really considering it or you've only taken into account a factor or two. No ice cream on the way home from school because it'll spoil dinner, no more tv time because you're already watched some tv today. Calls that often tend to be arbitrary even if there is some rationale to them.

But you've taken the position, and - just as a pack of coyote will sense weakness in its prey - the kids will know when they've caught you being inconsistent and will pounce on it if you show any inclination of caving. More to the point, with the memory of elephants, they will remember that time you were swayed by whining, screaming, kicking, stomping, and will repeatedly

try the same scam again in the hopes of success.

And so, you watch as your normally cute and cuddly little being screams like a banshee, writhes on the floor like a skewed worm or just generally becomes completely unpleasant to be around.

In case this post wasn't subtle enough, Ren has started to tantrum. On the one hand, hey great, normal social behaviours from a well-attached, secure toddler. On the other, sigh...

Now, here's hoping that he and Kiyomi both take that same stubborn, persistent and rather determined attitude towards higher education.