A Motherload of Expectations

Here's what I mean about me and thinking: I can take a perfect little tantrum and turn it into an examination of my mothering style and my children's future as "good people" before a batch of ready mix cookies has time to bake. Really.

After watching Toy Story 3 with my mom and the kids today, we arrived home to corral our little stick of dynamite (Tiana) into her bed for a nap, and John Andrew was eager to show Nana his new go cart. As an aside, his new Razor Go Cart ROCKS...I am biding my time for a chance to ride it when he is not around, actually. But, this afternoon it was very hot and my mom is a very nervous witness to any form of danger that involves my kids. Go carts that go 15 miles per hour are terrifying to her and I could tell she was not in the proper frame of mind to appreciate his spin outs. I delivered the bad news, no go cart today. He'd have to wait for another time to show Nana, but he could go to her office and "work" with Kalina. *They LOVE to pretend to work at my parents real estate office, something my sister Betsey and I cannot quite comprehend since, as children, we counted the minutes until our office time was over!* Being a boy and being almost 7 years old, John Andrew was predictably disappointed. He let me know (he tried to let my shins know with his feet). He let the pillows on the couch know. He let Nana and Kalina know. He threatened to go ride it all by himself. When he went out the back door and opened the garage door, I put my foot down and escorted him inside. Then, I put the go cart in an undisclosed location. He is furious.

Now my mind really kicks in, as follows: I think, oh my, he is so ANGRY! Why? How has this happened? How do I communicate to him that he really is so fortunate and has so many things to appreciate that waiting until Nana is ready to see his go cart expertise in action is not a big deal? What if he never gains perspective? Have we given him too much too soon? I really need to schedule his first confession with Father C. What if he grows up and doesn't learn to have patience? To those whom much is given, much is expected. Should I take the go cart away? Give him a time out? Give him and the go cart a time out? I really want him to enjoy what he has, but I really don't want him to feel like each time he doesn't get his way, he is entitled to spin out of control. Is he out of control? Do other boys do this? What is Kalina thinking watching her big brother acting so mad? Which virtue is greater, forgiveness or obedience?

At this point, my mom is bravely offering to take Kalina and John Andrew to her office and they are headed out the door, Kalina sweetly kissing me good bye and John Andrew still sulking. My head is spinning, my heart is sinking and I am sure I completely missed a teachable moment.