The Bad Word

I have a confession ... 

I said a bad word!

But let me defend myself -

I'm making a cake for an activity for the ladies at church. It, of course, is a very chocolatey cake. Maecie was in the kitchen with me, eyeing every piece of chocolate goodness I was putting in the recipe. I gave her a few chocolate chips in hopes that it would pacify her until I could get lunch going. Unfortunately, those chocolate chips just made her want more and more.

After she asked for more chocolate, I told her we would have lunch in just a bit and she needed to wait. She proceeded to ask for more chocolate and say that she didn't want lunch, just chocolate. 

My sweet little girl was asking over and over and over for more candy, more chocolate. I was going as fast as I could to get this cake in the oven and baking and was starting to get a little frustrated. Finally, I looked at Maecie and told her that my answer was "No. No, she could not have more chocolate and she would have to wait until after lunch." And I was firm in my delivery.

She lowered her head and ran to her room. A few minutes later I heard her singing and went to check on her.

She had lined up her dolls on her bed and she was singing this song {don't forget to sing this in the most pitiful 2 year old voice you can muster}, "I want some chocolate. But Mommy won't give me some. Mommy said a bad word!"

"What bad word did I say, Maecie?", I asked. Continuing to sing, Maecie responded, "Mommy told me no. Mommy said a bad word!"

Yes, ladies and gents, this mommy said, "No"! How could I have done such a thing? How could I have said such a bad word in front of my daughter? Well, honestly, it's because I'm a mean mommy. Any time my children want to spoil their appetites with junk food, I tell them no. If they want to watch TV before doing homework, or refuse to do their chores because they want to go play, I tell them "No". I don't give in to their every plea. This may make me a mean mommy, but it's who I am and how I parent.

In my opinion, parents need to say this bad word from time to time. We can't always give our children what they want because then they will grow up expecting to get what they have always gotten. Instead, we need to show them that there are boundaries in life. It might not seem like that would be the lesson learned, but it is a start. 

I love my kiddos and their ability to call me out when I've said a "bad word"! 

**Don't worry, I hugged my sweet girl, told her I loved her. Then we ate lunch and played princess tea party.**