Dear Lord, Help this woman!

My 5 year old honestly believes he runs our home.  He thinks I, and his two older siblings, simply dwell in this house to wait on him.  He will not hesitate to bark loudly to anyone within earshot, "I want gatorade!"  And this is not just a statement. It's a demand.  It means "I want gatorade. Get it for me now."  And to add to the horror of this situation, I've realized that a good part of the time one of us will bring him the gatorade simply because we don't want to hear his reaction if we don't!  I can't believe I just admitted to that...  My other two children are not like this.  At what point did I forget how to parent?  That's how I feel sometimes.  I feel responsible for this.  And yet, I haven't done anything differently than I did with the other two.  Or have I???  Let's see, by the time Alyssa (my 9 yr old) was this age she had two younger brothers.  And by the time Josh was 5, Jason was in the picture.  Nothing will grow a child up faster than having a new baby in the house.  The cycle stops though, when there are no more new babies.  That's why the youngest is, and forever will be, referred to as 'the baby'. 

So, here's my concern... I am picturing him sitting in a classroom full of other 5 year olds (some of which are also 'babies') yelling, "I want gatorade!"  However, no one will be bringing him gatorade.  What kind of earth-shattering realization will it bring when he sees that the world does not revolve around him?  And, is there any way I can get this across to him before August?  Because, honestly, I feel a little guilty turning this boy, this child, this 'baby' over to a perfectly innocent teacher who has never wronged me in any way.  Don't misunderstand me, Jason is incredibly smart and sweet.  He never hesitates to give the best hugs and always wants to help 'Mom' with whatever task I am up against.  But...BUT...this kid can be a booger.  He knows exactly what he wants, when he wants it, and has no need to discuss it.  And, he is very crafty with the super-cuteness.  He can manipulate with a flutter of the eyelashes and grin quicker than Brad Pitt. 

I know how important Kindergarten is.  It sets the tone for the 12 years that follow.  All I can do at this point is pray.  Pray that the next few months bring a maturity to my child.  Pray that the summer spent with his siblings home will calm the demands and increase the ability to share.  Pray that the RIGHT teacher is already in the works for Jason.  Pray that because God created him, He knows the kind of patience and understanding this teacher will need.  (Bonus if she has had a 5 year old 'baby' of her own.)  All I can do is pray and trust God... Dear Lord, Help this woman!!

Dead Batteries

My car died today.  Not entirely, just a dead battery.  I was busy chatting on the phone when I pulled into my parking space at Target.  Not quite ready to get out I let my 5 year old climb up in the front seat with me.  I continued my conversation while he turned into speed racer, flicking every switch, turning every knob.  I didn't give it another thought.  Finished my conversation and went about my shopping.  And then it happened.  As I approached my car I pushed the button to open the trunk...nothing.  I tried to unlock the doors...nothing.  I actually had to put the key into the keyhole and turn it to unlock the car.  I got in, put my key in the ignition and turned...nothing.  Great!  I still had errands and kids to pick up from school.  It was clear, though, I was going nowhere. 

My phenomenal husband saved me with a quick jump and I was on my way again (slight 1 1/2 hour delay).  And it was then that I realized that Jason had turned the lights on, which I would have noticed had I not been distracted with the phone call.  So, I got to thinking.  What am I unnecessarily distracted with?  What am I overlooking that could be important in the long run? And are either of these things zapping the life out of me?  We can put so much time and effort into things that seem important at the time, but in a much bigger picture...let's face it, they aren't.  These things, these chores, can consume us and even deplete us, making us useless to others and even to the things that really do need our attention. 

Let me encourage you, step back.  Take a look at the big picture.  Listen when people (especially children) talk to you. Look them in the face and listen. Plan ahead, stop winging it and then being upset because you didn't get everything done.  Set time aside for you. You will never be enough for anyone else if you're not the person you want to be.  Always work toward a better you.  Big picture, folks...this is why we're here.