Today my son first told me he hates me and then to leave preschool. Had to correct the 'hate' comment but other than that I was happy to head out the door. Until I looked back and he had taken off his shirt. He's 4, so there's no big ethical problem with going shirtless, but school does have rules and it is only 45' out this morning. So back in I went. He tearfully accused me of getting his shirt wet when I wiped away a strand of hair from his forehead. OK, roll with it I thought and headed to the wash room for his clean set of clothes. Accept they weren't there. There should be 2 full sets of clothes but all that was there were 2 pairs of socks. Really, the shirt wasn't wet, so his teacher told him she'd fixed it. But he didn't believe her. I would have, but I just like to have things right.
So I left while he was sobbing on a pillow and she'd bargained with him to allow him to stay shirtless while he pulled himself together. And I went to WalMart to get him 2 changes of clothes. $20.66 later, I called school and left the clothes outside they're door so as not to let him see me back again at school. I pity the teacher that introduces him to clothes he doesn't recognize after his predictable accident during afternoon naps.
How do they do it? How do they stay calm and rational and creative? My temper revs up and it takes such work not to make idle threats to force him to comply. Why don't they teach you those things during birthing class?
It's time to go pick him up. I feel like I'm heading into a minefield.