Oh boy.
Or should I write, oh boys.
I like a little respite between major incidents in these boys’ lives, but maybe that’s too much to wish for as they get older.
I meet the bus at the end of almost every school day. Usually, I just wave to the bus driver and listen to two boys talking at once as we walk home. One day this week, the bus driver summoned me over to his window and let me know that my five-year-old had been spitting on the bus. I assured him that I would talk to him about it.
This was not the first time he has spit on the bus. He had two other incidents, each with a different bus driver. This was the only fortunate part, as his tiny bottom would have been off the bus permanently. Clearly, I had failed to communicate that spitting is unacceptable, in every place, at anytime, forever, amen. I would change that failure immediately.
Walking into the house, there was a phone message. From another parent. To talk about my two boys’ behavior on the bus. Fantastic.
I tried to get the straight story from my five-year-old, but it’s like talking to a soothsayer in the middle of a vision. I sent him to his room to await punishment and made the call. The charge was spitting over the top of the head of her First Grade daughter. If I could, I would give this mother an award for being awesome. She was matter-of-fact, understood that kids do dumb things and couldn’t have made me feel more at ease.
My moment was appreciating that mom’s behavior in relation to my son’s bad behavior. There are many ways she could have handled the situation. I’m grateful and will try to emulate her if I’m ever on the other side of the phone.
Post-script:
My five-year-old and I saw the First Grade girl at school the next day. She gave him such a look that I asked if he knew her. “That’s the girl I spit over.” I understood her look perfectly.
The Vice Principal also called our house just to let us know he would talk to the boys about it. I am hopeful he will never have to call here again. Would you like to take odds on that?
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OM is *one moment* and is a meetup designed to notice & relish a moment in everyday life. The meetup idea was created by Linda at her blog, a la mode stuff.If you’d like to participate in OM, just click the button and you’ll be taken to Linda’s post explaining it all.
I really loved your story this morning… well, I didn’t love that you had to reprimand your young man for his behavior but your storytelling was on point today 🙂
I would like to bet that you have to deal with some other manner of mischief but have faith that you are raising cool little dudes that will overall make you such a happy mama!
That’s some serious expectorate power. I’m impressed! (just don’t tell him that). It’s nice to hear the mom called you directly instead of calling six other moms to stir the pot. Love that!
I love your ‘Life with Boys’ stories so much because I can relate!!! And having an understanding parent call makes the pain of it all slightly better.
Hang in there! These will be stories you all laugh at in many years to come.