My sweet, innocent five year old has reached a milestone. No, it's not her 6 year molars or the loss of her first baby tooth. It's not the newly acquired skill of sounding out words...it's something more sinister.... a small crime against her friend. Yesterday we went out for lunch to some friends' house - people from our church. Their four year old has lots of wonderful toys...all of which my two daughters covet. She has the Disney princesses I told them were too expensive. She has barbies, polly pockets...you name it. They had a wonderful time playing all afternoon. Last night I went in to check on my girls as they bathed. My eldest had a tiny little mermaid she was diving in and out of the bathwater. "Where did that come from?" I asked, not having seen it before. A guilty glance at her sister and then the words...."Ummm - I borrowed it." "From who?" I asked, already knowing the answer. She replied that her little friend had loaned it to her. I left it at that. Later on as I was tucking her in, I asked, "Where did that little mermaid really come from?" And then the outpouring came....."Well, Mom, I was looking in her treasure box and I saw it in there....I really wanted it, so I put it in my....in my....." She couldn't say it...."In your pocket?" I suggested. "Yes," she said with a sigh of relief. I could see the weight come off her little shoulders. A teaching moment .... So I told her that what she had done was wrong and I was disappointed. I told her she had to do two things....Ask God for forgiveness and then return the mermaid to Victoria. So we prayed and asked God to forgive her.....it seemed so weird to hear her say that. How could my little girl need forgiveness? And yet, I knew it was a first step for her. It's hard to see my children do the wrong thing...in her moment of "weakness" she gave in and put that little toy in her pocket. I didn't want to "freak out" on her, because I want her to be honest with me and yet I wanted her to know it was serious. Tonight as my husband reviewed the 10 commandments with her (they've been working on a child friendly version) my daughter and I exchanged a knowing glance when they got to commandment #8!
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Wow, Heather, you're such a good mom! I think you did a great job with that situation. Bless her heart! Your girls are so lucky to have you. :)
Hope you're well - sorry I missed you yesterday - we had to race out to the 10 people for lunch. (AH!!) Oh well most of the panic of the last week's schedule has subsided now! WHEW! We need to catch up soon (Barb mentioned another scrapbooking day?). OK, I'll stop my personal updates on YOUR blog!!! Thanks for sharing that story. :)
Love Bon
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