Afterschool Fun

Shane's normally having a blast whenever I show to pick him up from school.

This week, two days stood out. 

The first, he was wrapped in mats while Peter rolled him across the floor! Shane's legs were hanging out kicking and then his head popped out the other side smiling from ear to hear.

The second, Shane was playing some sort of 'boss' game that kept evolving. He would yell out rules about what would happen if he threw the ball at base and how much HP damage it would do. The other kids mostly seemed to understand and were throwing out some of their own counter rules.

Everyone was smiling. I don't think any adult would have been able to actually follow what was going on, but that's the sort of evolving play I remember loving as a kid.

On the down side, the afterschool teacher wanted to talk to me one day. She'd needed to talk to Shane because he showed his underwear to some of the girls (trying to elicit a laugh or a scream, I know not which). Later that same day, he'd gotten into an argument with another kid and started 'screaming.' When I talked to Shane, his defense was he wasn't screaming he was "loud."

"So, I'm hearing you were yelling."

He agreed to that, but not screaming....which led into a talk about how arguing over a word didn't change the spirit of what happened.

Two steps forward and one step back.

It's all learning.

People don't like to admit it, but we need consequences. I know that I do.

For example, I used to be a lot better about turning in library books. I don't mind paying a fine as I support libraries....but I'd rather avoid it if I can.

Once I found out Shane can get a card without fines I got terrible about turning things in on time. And renewing them.

I know I'm bad about it. I feel bad about being bad about it. But that didn't change my behavior.

Maybe publicly confessing/shaming myself will make me be a little better about it.

And maybe years later Shane will feel the same way about posting he got in trouble for showing off his underwear. If he learns the lesson, this will be a funny story to reminisce on!