The Lovely Power

Today as I found myself sitting with a leopard, a bear, a baby doll, a blanket, and a "Bubba" in the corner of my 2-year-old's room I couldn't help but ponder what had gotten me into this mess. What could a mom and 5 inanimate toys do to warrent time out? The answer is easy. All 6 of us made the thoughtless, unkind choice to hit. That's not true now that I think of it. I know at least the baby doll bit. I heard her. Well, I heard my daughter's reaction from the other room,

"OW! Doan bite. It hurt! Doan bite, baby. Go time out! Doan bite, baby!"

But I think the rest of us hit. I believe in choice and accountability. I do. Let the crime fit the punishment. And in our house hitting and bitting certainly merit a time out! But it's hard for me to admit to hitting. I was sitting down trying to read when my daughter grabed my hand and smacked it against her own forehead,

"Doan hit! Doan hit, mama."

Then she did it again- smacked herself with my hand,

"Doan hit, Mama! Time out. Mama go time out."

She then led me down the same hall into the same corner as was baby just minutes before. It was hard to feel guilt, to feel that pit in my stomach for doing something wrong. I knew I had done something wrong. I knew it. I just couldn't feel it. My toddler's been acting time out with her stuffed animals for days and I've thought before,

"Good. She understands the process. She understands that there's a consequence when she hurts others! We're getting through to her."

Shortly she came back into the room to check on her delinquents and I took the opportunity to speak up,

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry I hit!"

She must have read past my words and discerned my indifference. Because she said,

"No mama! Stay time out!"

What? What about the process?! As soon as my daughter says sorry she is released from bondage. The power had definitely gone to her head. I knew it. I knew she was my daughter. Oh the POWER! Eventually (I think she let me sit for about 5 minutes) she accepted my apology and allowed me freedom.