Well, when you're working with kids, they say to "never let them see you sweat". In other words, stay calm, even when they are not cooperating. I had an opportunity to test this strategy the other day. Me and my two little charges, age 6 and 8 went to the grocery store and the 8 year old wanted to stay in the car....did not want to go in. I knew I couldn't agree to that so I just calmly said, "Well, we can't go in without you but what the heck, this is as good of place as any to spend the afternoon....I figured he wouldn't like that because he was having a lot of fun at home and that is why he fought going out to begin with. His sister just happened to have her Barbie along and I said,"Good thing you brought your doll so that you will have something to play with." I stretched out on the seat like I was settling in for the long haul. I figured he would soon be tired of this and want to go in, but, low and behold, I had a bag of Lego's in the

 back that I had forgotten about. He opened them up and started playing....I'm thinking O man! So, his sister likes to sing opera and it drives him nuts. I suggested that she entertain us with her singing and she obliged. He ignored her. So, I joined in with "God said to Noah, there's going to be a floodie, floodie......" (song). Then, while sitting in the driver's seat, I taught sister the "Father Abraham song" with all of the hand waving and marching accompaniments. He watched with interest while I wondered, "What next?" So, I said, "Well, here we go....I'm going to count backwards from 10 to 1 and the first one out gets a prize." Of course they both got out by 3 and I was relieved to get on with my day. As I herded my 2 little charges across the parking lot, I just happened to notice an older gentleman sitting in a pickup just across the way (Guess I had been too busy singing and marching -- in seat -- to see him)....he had this GREAT BIG smile on his face, as if he had seen it all. LOL. I had to laugh with him, it had to look pretty funny from where he was sitting! Well, the kids each got a tatoo for their reward.....I had to threaten to call their Dad at the checkout counter before leaving, but we made it home. And the dog ate the trash and emptied the plate of biscuits I made for dinner. Amen. I mean, THAT'S ALL. For one day, at least. |O: