Sooo... last night David was in the bath playing when I heard him start to get whiny. I didn't say anything but just listened as the whine turned into a whimper. Since David can get whiny when toys do not work the way he wants, I waited to see if he was going ask me for help (or figure it out on his own). However, the whimpering continued, and he started saying to himself, "Can't play my toys." When I stepped around the corner to see what was going on, David started into a full blown cry.
As I tried to figure out what was going on, I noticed some water on the floor, and as David started to settle down I could put a few words. He kept saying "duckie" and "water" and "bathtub" and "can't play" while pointing to his stack of toys. I slowly put two and two together and asked if he splashed water on the floor. He said, "Yes," and then I asked if he can't play with his duckie because he has to give it to Daddy because he was splashing. He replied, "Yes," followed by some whimpering. So to be consistent with the rules, I let him hand me a toy, and I put it on the counter.
It was another one of those happy/sad parenting moments. I was happy that he felt remorse for breaking a rule, even if it was only because he was sad about losing a toy (We can work on nobler reasons later!). However, part of me wanted to let it slide because he sort of punished himself.
This situation ties into a line I read earlier this week. "Saying 'I'm sorry' removes the guilt, not the consequences." In the end, I think it is better for him to learn about consequences now
(when it is something inconsequential like a bath toy) rather than later when it may be something more important, like a job or a relationship.
Ahhh.... parenting-the hardest, best job you'll ever have!
Kyle
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