It all started with this new school the boys are going to. It started out so well; there was no transition trauma, there was no crying...until there was. The new-ness wore off for the boys and a few weeks ago they decided they were going to start crying at drop off again. This went on for a week or so - I would give them extra kisses and that still didn't help. After said week, I get a call from the Owner of the school who in no uncertain terms told me that wasn't the image they wanted to portray of their school. Really? You don't want to screaming 3 year olds holding on to their mom's leg like they are being sent to the lion's den? Really? That's not what you want on your billboard? She also said, it's time for tough love and discipline. I was pretty angry at first, and then I just knew she was right.
Bitch Mom had to come out. I guess the nice word is the Disciplinary Mom. That afternoon when I picked them up, I didn't give them any 'fun' snacks (i.e. oreos and scooby snacks). I didn't make them starve, granola bars and crackers were available. Peyton screamed the entire 15 minute ride home that he wanted 'black cookies'. Once we got home, I revealed the other punishment - no TV. There was a lot of screaming that night and sadness. I explained to them how this was going to work. Cry at school - no snacks and no tv. They haven't cried at drop off yet.
There have been a couple of close calls - they did go to school dressed in flannel pj bottoms the other day, but THEY DIDN'T CRY. That may not be the image the school wants to portray either, but it's better than dragging them off of me to go to class. There was also the day where I threw the Oreos OUT THE WINDOW because Peyton wouldn't stop crying for some ridiculous thing. It made me feel better AND IT WORKED!!! He stopped crying, said he was sorry, and asked if he could have the Oreos after school.
