tea party

I am listening to the rain pound on my windows as I write this and smile. My Maddie has been going through a very difficult time adjusting to the lack of friends out here in the UK and has been a mess emotionally. She has been difficult and disagreeable most of the time for about a month now, so today I decided to beat the attitude with kindness instead of frustration.

I told her to bring her dolls down and place them at the table. We then proceeded to make scones together and place them in the oven. She went off to play while I brought out her ceramic tea set and set them on the table at each place, including one for Josiah.
I mixed hot chocolate and milk together and place the pot of "tea" on the table.
When the timer went off we all sat at the table with our scones and cups of "tea" and just giggled.

They thought it was great as Maddie popped in and out of her newly discovered English accent and Josiah kept remarking how, "this was the best tea party ever."

I have won her heart for a brief moment in time, but it has retaught me a valuable lesson...we only have a short time in this life to play with our kids and be silly with them. The moment will be gone soon enough and she will be embarrassed to be with me and play time will be forever over.

So I suppose I am thankful for moments of attitude that help adjust my view on parenting and give me the right perspective again...beat that attitude with kindness and love.